DIG1TAL lC PROJECTS

I
by
F.G. RAYER, T.Eng.(CEI), Assoc. IERE

BERNARD BABANl (publl~hing) LTD

THEGRAMPJANS
SHEPHERDS BUSH ROA:O
LONDON W6 7NF
ENGLAND
Although every earc has been uken with the r~tatioll
of this book. the publisher> 01 author will not be hdd
responsible in any vroy for any errors that mighr occur

~H98 l. BF.RNA RD BABANl (publishing) LT!)

!llut Published M•rclt 1981

.British Lihraiy Cataloguing in Publication Data

Rayer, Fronci• George
Digital IC pIOjccts.
I. Jn!Cl!)'•ted circuit$ - Amateurs' manwls
{.Title
621. 381'. 73 TK 9965

ISBN 0 R5934 059 7

 CONTENTS

Pai-•
INTRODUCTIOK . . . . . ... .. . • . •.... .... . . ..... 1

CO~ONENTS. .................. .. • . .. . ... . 2

JCs and Holder$. . .. .. . . .................. 2
Alternative Numeral• . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . .....3
GN4 1\ixic .••....... • .. . . • . . . . . . • . . . . . . . 4
?·Sector LEO$ . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . • • . . . . . .5
Other Com'pon"n ts • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . '. . , . . . . . . .7

POWER SUPPLIES .. .. . .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .9
Battery RUMing . . . . . . . • • . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • .9
Transistor Regularioo . . . . • . . . ............ II
AC Supply. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . 12
IC Regulator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .•.. ..... ...... 14
Nixie Surrly . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . .. .. .... . .• 15
~lultiplier for Nixie Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

PROJECTS . . . . . . . . . • • . . . .....•....•..... 18
Nixie 1\umerator .... ._. . . . . . . . ..• .• . .. . .••. 18
1·6 Numerator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
"Steady lll!Jl<l" with Counter. . . . •.. ...•.. . . • .. 24
"Twinkle Tre•" •..• .•• . •.. ....•. .. ...• . .•. . 27
Roulette ........... . .......... , . . . . . . 29
Six-Spot . . . . • . . . . • . . . • . . . • . . . . • . . . 32
Koi$<JeS< Switch . . . . . . • . • . . . . . . . . • . . . . . 38
Testing BCD and Oecoder·Driver . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
LEU Randoin Numerator . . .... . •. .. . . . . ...... 42
Scorer for Be:cique, Etc . . . . .. ..... . . ...... .... 46
Mulli-Disit Counter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 54
lOX Dividers . . . . . . . . . • . . . • . . . . . . . • . . . .. 55
~ta! Slop.Cock .. . .. .. . ................ 56
Quart, Stop-Clock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Response Time Indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . 67
S.>wl<l Initiated Timer .. . .. . • . . ........ , . . . . 68
Ugltt Operated C<:>u11ters.... .. . .. . . ...... . . ... 70
6·Digil Frequency C<:>unter . . . . . . . . . • . . . . • . . . . 73
Ui[!ital Signal Gene rotor . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
 !'age
Radio Frequency Marker . . . • • . . . . . . . • . • .. 114
Variable 555 Pulser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
!·Armed Bandit... . .. . , , . . .. .. . . ....... 8'1
 INTRODUCTIO::\

Tllis hook COl\taiJ1s both simple •nd nl()re ad>"anced project'!.

md ct is hoped lhal these will be found of 8feat help in
devclopinj\ a knowledge of the workinp of digital circuits.
Variuus fonns of assembling •nd wiring the integroled
citcuiU on their board~ are sltowu, and thls aspect of a ~roi•ct
can be quite straightforward, and not need the preparation of
a printed circuit board. Tlte more amhitinus project• c•n be
built and te•tcd ucp by Uep, and this will avoid or correct
faults which could otherwise be troublesome, and will result in
o better understanding of how tlfe de•kes operate,

1
 COMPONENTS

IQ tnd ROl.DERS
The in1egutcd circuils fit boards ur 0.lin .nutrix, and ICs and
their holde1:1 have the ~ame pin 'p..:ln(l', thcmgh the holden arc
a liulc wider than dte ICs tlley carry. Actual holder design•
vaJ)' ~omewh1:1.t.
Pin l may be indicated by a n<1tch, dtprestlon, dot, number
I, or ridge, Figure l. The holders generally have s<Jme means
of showing •ockcl I, so that !Cs inay be in~rted the correct
way cnund. When an !C ls to be ins.nod for the first tjmc, all
i!S pins may need pressing mwards very slightly. Any pin.•
obviously btnt in paclting should be carefully straightened with
tweeters or sitnilar means. ·

123-4567

I~ 1~1~ 1:31:2: l~j

12345~78

FIG . I.

Most !Cs required hece have 14 Qf 16 pins, counted"' in

1'1gure I when viewing the JC from the t<Jp. ICs can be soldered
directly in place, but the UJe or holders allows their easy
r~p~ent, or :sub.stitution for tesl purposes.
The 74 TIL (uaruis1u1-lnlluish>r lc>gic) !Cs used require
4.7SV to 5.25V and nonmilly opcme frorn a 5V su11ply.
Unused Ill''"
inputs should be tttk~n to negative, 01 may be

2
connected to a u•ed input, or rna; be connected to positive
through a resistor.
The NANO function is as follows;
lnpuN Output
0.0 1
0.1 I
LO I
I. I ·O
The binary coded decimal decade clll•nter counts from 0 to
9 givh1& binary outputs 0000 to 1001 at four pins. A decoder·
driver decode.< these output• into the fonn required to di.•play
numl>trs 0 to 9 011 an associated numeial. Oetails appear in
the "'lated sec1io11!.
Ao inverter in..m the lc>gic, low input gMns higll ootput,
and hfch Input providing low output.

ALTERNATIVE NUMERALS
Coulltlng and simifai devices will requtre one or more ommerals,
and the circuits shown here will allow 7·se~rnent LE~ and
NiJ<ie tuhu to he employed.
Numeul& with illuminated =to" consisting of light
emitting <ti<ldes, or LED numerals, may be operated from the
5V wpply used to power integrated circuits. Nixies, h~r,
require a high voltage supply, though t ins can be of Very simple
type, •Rd IS readily obtained by tn1mformtr operation from
AC maJn•.
In ma•y <>f 1he circ11it< &lt<>wn, it is feasible to employ either
LED or NIJtle numerals, with the appropriate LED or Nixie
dJiver ICs. Titus as example,• circuit shown with LED<, might
equally well he made with Nixie<, in mo•t c°'e"
Numitton and Minit"'n numerals, having small filamentary
3ecton, are also often seen, but ltavc not bc~11 dealt with here,
End and side viewing Nixie numerals, Numitmns and Minotrons
are from time 10 time •een Qll sale singly or in 1>3cl<s at low
rost, and Ibis can be~ factor in •dOf'ling them for a display.
N1~1c circuits in this book are for the GN4 (and e<JUivalent)
tubes The GN4 is end-viewing. with numeral• about l Smm
hi!lh, Side viewing Nixies IIlllY be substltuteol, and woulol need

3
to stand vertically at the ed~e of tlte circuit bt>ard, or be flxed
with the numeral side flat to the viewing aperh1re.
Other details appear in book number Bl'li 7 Counter Orivcr
and Numeral Display Projects also published hy Bernard
Rahani (publishing) Ltd.

GN4 "lixie
Th.is has 13 pius, shov.•n in Figure 2. Counting from the space~
pin 2 is the connection to the current limitin& resistor Rl. This
can be 33k or 4 ?k Ii watt for a 240V to 250V supply. Current
drawn is around I l>mA to 3mA. Higlter values of series
resistor, or Jowet HT supply voltage, will reduce brightness, but
these fictoc:s ace not critical.

+ RI FIG. 2.

TI\e required numeral is illuminated by taking another pin

to nc~ative. Pin 3 used in this way produc~s 0, pin 4 provides
9, pin 5 illuminates the numc1al 8, and so 011. !'ins J and 8
provide decimal type points in "'me tuhes, and should have a
furdlcr series limiting resistor (about 220k). Surplus or ex-
equipment numerals of thi< kind are readily tested hy clipping
RI to pin 2. and stepping round the other pins with a lead
returned to ne&ative, ol>seiving numerals produced. Very aged,
mucl1-used tubes may produce part numerals, but mi#lt if to
hand be suitabfc for positions where a limited display (such
4
al only 0 • l, or O· 1..:2 for cl0<:ks) wW be needed. No display
at all prob.1bly means lost seal due to distorted pins. ·
These rubu may be in.sertcd in hlllders, or coonection• can
l>c taken directly to !he piru, and in some w•y• !his has
ad.antage~. All piM should be clean and bright. Use a thin
fleiublc or sio~e·strand b1ight tillned.copper wire, wilh sleeving
a fairly tight push· fit on the pins. Bare 3 short lengt)l of the wire,
insert In the •leeving. and push on the r in. The leads can be as
long as needed to reach from the board cariying the ICs.
Nixie• a(e operated from driver lCs whlch decode the binary
inpul into a single circuit outpu l. Thu~ when the driver IC for
the Ni.x.ie receives the binary equivalent of l, it automatically
gi••• a negative connection t(l a pin wh.lch Is connected to pin
J.3 of !he ~ude, lhus ilhnninalini l. When 1he binary changos
to 2 , the IC ah ers the circuit , •o thot this ucomplete4 to pm
12 of the :-lbde tube, to illuminate numeral 2, and so on.
The Nixie decoder-drivers are not used for .LED displays, as
with lhti:.~e. two or more segment~ are jUu.minated simultaneously.
Conntctlons can be ananged to provld~ co11J1ts other than
the 0-!I for which rhc tube i• made. to •ult the need for clocks
or other equipment.

7 ·-Sector LEPr.
Fig11n: 3 show~ a LED numeral with 7 1caments. Two 01 more
are Wum1natcd~ to produce: numerats as. rnno,ir-s:
0 ABCDE.F S AFC.CD
I BC 6 AFEOCG
2 ABGED 7 ABC
3 ABCDG 8 ALL SECTORS
4 BCFG 9 GFABCD
Wi1h many cilcuils 6 omits A and ~I omits D.
The \ndivitlu•I sectors are separate light ernil!ing diodes, and
all these LEDs are connected together at one end. Where the
decoder-<lrlver is placed t(l control the neSl'tive circuits, as in
<,rcuits here, commoo anode LEDt are required. This corrunon
posih•e coonection is pin 3: 01 pin• J, 9 snd 14 with rome
t»ros.
The number of segments illuminated. •nd dr•w\ng current,
..,;n derend on the numher r;)lown, ther• i• •minimum of 2
5
 TOP
I • · 14
'2 • • 13
·3 o ~c::::>~ • I2
4 •• n=n • 11
s u-==u • 10
6 • • 9
7 • . • 8 FIG, 3 ,

scc1011 for number I, and maxunum of 7 sccton for numbcT 8

Current t:ik•n by the numeral thus •ancs considerably, and a
00111111011 limiting resistor is not ""'Y ""fafaetocy. For this
reason, tach i;ector can be~t have \ts own resistor> between the
driver IC and the sector pin.
Reierrin.~ to Fis111e 3 pins.and segment< ate:

A p in l F.pln7
B pin 13 I' pin 2
C pin 10 G flin 11
0 pin 8 Common, pin 3.
Tlms, to muminate BC for I, circuits are completed to pins
13 and JO. To obraio 0, circuits .. ould be completed to all
sectors !isled CJtcept G, pin 11.
')'he decoder-driver !Cs used receive the binary input in the
usual form, Cot l, 2, 3 and so on, and automatically provide
output circuils for the cortect ~~ent~. Th~~ <lrfvers cann<ll
of course be used with Nixies, for the reason ex1>lai11ed.
Ll:O numeral< are available In v~riuui !.i'cs and colours, and
to plug Into 14 pin dual-in line ~otde1'. The DL707 has 0.3in
high numben, fits 14 pin·DIL holden, and is suitable for
circwts here

T e>Linl(
from the forei:oing, it will· prove quit• .traightforward to ten
a nun1erol which i• not giv\ng • oorrect display. Ir the numeral
indicote< correctly when •prrorrtate circuits are made to it,
then the fault h.. lo he soujll1l ehewhere (<uch a• m driver
coonecHoll3). Rut if the nullleral is found 10 be foulty, this
:avoids any need for investigation of other wcuits.

OTJiER. COMPONENTS
Th< tran$lstors and integrated circuitl u<e<l here are easily
ohtain•hlc from many sources, and are general!~· inexpensive.
Beca11se of the latter point, the use of untested iurplus ICs is
.not recomroeuded. 11tC$C ml:l}' have vnc or more detects:,
truublcsume to locale.
Holdeis for the !Cs are not essential, but are reconunended
for all p<>Sltions. Th¢)· are Dual In Uuc (DlL), mn<tly 14 pin
on<l 16 pin, and are uailaolE in »anow •lyle11.
If an IC is to be easily inserted in a holder for the !list time,
it is usuall1· necessary to bend its pins 1J!gi1lly to make thclll
parallel. Thi< can be done with •mall pre••oue. Without care at
li1't in,;ertinn, a pin may bend, or no1 on~nR• correctly with its
i.ockel. Check each IC is the correct W•Y ruunJ, as ii is put in.
An IC can be removed from ito socket by inserting• thiu
blade between socket and IC, aud levco lng It up• Hille al C•ch
end. Cunlinue until it is free.
In •nme circuits, nperation will cease with a quite >mall drop
in "oltaSJ:, so that a concct •upply mu•! be av•ilable. Other
cin:u1t• are In• liable to fail in thu way. Some will operate
partially, g1ving resuhs which could su~t obi:cure faults in
counting or 01hcr circuiU..
EJtces• vnlt•ge, or wmng pCl!arity, must be avoided. Full
details of \'arie>us means of supplying power are provided, and a
small mains operated power supply unit will be of great utility.
RcsMors can generally be of ~ watt a~d ·smaller sizes, and
these are ca<ie•t to accommodate. Capacitors, except for• few
isol•ted positions, are low volta~e. Elcctn:>lytics may be 6 V,
6.4V, 9V, IOV, 12V or as convcnienlly ov•Jlable. These are
~netally for by-pass purposes, so that vlllucs •re not veiy
ciitlcal . S'mtllarly, in the :smaller values of non-clectrolytic
cal"cilor, 47nF and 0.05 µF (50nl') ore 1nterchan~hle. Rut
m linung or oscillator circwts, values >hould be at gi.-en.
Rnards ere U. lin matrix,•• the IC< or holdc,. fit these. The
various methods of wirinit shown generally require board•

7
 without foil. If holders, etc., are placed one side of the board,
and wiring is largely tlte other, rapid assembly is possible, with
thu mrthod. Some units WoW WIICS run ahove and below tht
board, to obtain cr~vers. This will tencrally require a larger
board.
For se>ldering on O.Jin matrix l>oirds, a small iron, typically
IS watt with bit to suit, will be almost e"ential. Tltis, with a
good quality cored solder, will ruoke •oldeting easy. A good
light ls helpful when working, and occasionally a hand magnifier
to eXl!mine some connections mil)' prove useful.
Some l•youts show board• with undemcatb connection•
vcrtic.al or horizontal. Board foils can he used for these
circuits, foil• else ...bere being cut With a drill or :IJlO\ face cutter.
Foil clad board may also be U5Cd with point-to-point ,.;rj~, tf
w1med, by cullint foils each Side of connecting points. Fo~
.tad board can al"O l>e cleared by unroernng in etching •ulutiort
a< if making a printed circuit; or by me•n• of a file, for small
bnatdS, giving •upport by A flat !Ur(ace, or by U<e or 3 power
abrasive disc, prefetably nu t-of·door1.
l..<lw voltage •witches cw be of tho small slide type; or can
be miniature or standatd si:t.e tomites.
Where a single power supply unit 1s·going to be employed
frnm time to time with yaziou• units, uclt may have a flex with
non-reversible plu~, to match a !l(lckot on the PSU. Small,
low-vultag.o p!U.!$ azul sockets arc »Ymloble for this pi.ttpog<.
Stnur leads are unnecessary, anu introduca troubles such as
brpken pins, or short-circuits al joints. Mo;t connections can
bo e>f ll>in wire, such as 30swg tinned copper. A stouter wire i•
used for positive and ncgalive !inos, where <everal ICs •re
pre•ent.
It is very useful to have a fow different colo11rs of nanow
~aua• sleeving, In put on leads, and helt> identify the.e. Very
thin nex i• also best for some other purpos.:-, red for po>itive,
bl.ck for negative, and other colours for •witching circuit., etc,
However, a non·miniature flexible conductor should b< llSOd
for the main power supply circuits, unless lhae are veiy lhort,
anu only two or three lCs·ne pr<mnl.
 POWER SUPPLIES

Cuncnt will mo!1 generally be den•ed from AC mains, a reliable

and cconc>m1cal supply being obtained by lhJs means. Howe,-er.
for some circumstance•. batt•T)· running is rcaliible.
Operation from dry batterie• will generally be for item; which
require only• rcU.lively small current, or Q!e of a tyl"' oper~ted
for short Intervals. llatt•ry running can o.lw be adopted in
some other circumstances, as w}1en no main• will be avaibble,
or when m11lns may not be used, or when an adequate current
•upply is available, a. in a vehicle.
JI is lm~ble to state h.ow many hou"' d."' will be-0btained
from &n} p•rticult r bauery pack, but some idea may be gained
by iruertin~ a meter in one supply lead 10 nore aYeragc current
dniwn. nus can be oornpaced with that taken by rhe ty pical
l\and·lamp, prohahly fitted with a O.JA bulb.

BATTERY RUNSING
The 7400 series of !Cs normally operntc from about SV, with
lower aml upperlimits of 4.75V and S.25V, and an absolute
ma.,imull\ or S.SV. lt will be found th•I tnllny devices can Ire
run frum • J..ecUor 4.SV battery. This has th• advan~age of
lllt!<:din~ nc> .arie.i dropper 01 olher \'Oltagc cont.rol.
W'here t11e full SV will be nec.=ary. and cuuenr d<1lin is
reason•bly steady, it is in order to use a 4-cell battery pack, for
6V. and drnp the execs. IV with a series resistor.
Where the load varies thmugliout operation, as it often does,
the 11raii,ll1tforward series limiting resistor i• nol 'uitable. II is
Uien best to employ a Zener diode for regul•tion, or transistor
ot JC regulQl<m. With tht•e. !here c&n be an advantage in having
a rather hl~er voltage available, such·u 7.SV, 9V or I 2V.
The situation for a steady current is >hown ar A, l'iguce 4.
A 6V supply Is reduced to SV by RI, which drops IV. From
Ohm'> Law, R =Vll (voltage divided by cunent). So if
IOOmA will be required, I volt 1mut be dmpped at O.l ampere,
1/0.1, w RI is 10 olun. Olanges in current dtawn will cesult
in corre.JX>ndin~ cltanges ill the voltoge lost in R I, •O tltar lite
oupply di>C• not remain al SY.

9
r;:

.. CJ
RI +• •+
RI +
5V 112
6V
© ®

+ +
- ...
RI
VRI t~
© + ® J .. 20

.
FIG . .4 .

The circuit al Bis slightly better,.,. con,tant cmrent drawn

by R2 helps swamp cl1anges in ~urrent drawn by the cquipmen
so the voltage dropped in R 1 Is subject to smaller ;·ariation.
Tiie larger the current drawn by R2, the greater the impr<»c·
ment. This is practical where• limplc mains unit ptoviding JA
or more for R2 can be h rou)lhl into service, and a 10 ohm "'ir~
•'<>untl putenriom«er ma~· be eunnecteJ ai; in C, and adju:rlctl I
for SV output at minimum load It is ~)$0 a temporary
exped1e111 for accumulator runn!n~.
I) u.es a Zener dioM. Assunung a I 2V supply, Rl must dr~
7V, to leave 5V available. With• SV ZTl rated al I watt, the
ZD current c•nnot exceed 200rnA, thus RI ;, :;s olun
rnw. In thi• case, an output of Q ..200mA can be drawn.
Should the minimum lo•d to be 1mwlded be known. thi• can
be allowed for, to up-rate the ma.x.lrnum load. As example,
... umt the minimum load al 5V is 200mA (not zero} With
200mA flowing through the diode, the total through RI I•
4-00mA, so it mil)' be redtoced 10 18 ohm JW. )b~imum
current which may be drawn will then be about 4-00mA.
Where RJ is too low in vlilue for the current the ZD rnt1s1
pas~ •l minimum exrernal lo•dlng o f lho supply, tl•c diod.c

10
current i$ too great, and· it i?S clamagcd. Where C.Xl~rnat cu1rent
exceeds that for wluch R 1 is suitable, the ll(llt~ge falls below
thal of lhe diode, and regulation is lose .
.Un<r dit><lc regulation is coo.eiucol for some •chicle or
aC('umulator nperated equipment. y.-here t.hc continuous drain
of the diode is of no importance.

TRANSISTOR REGULATION
figure S $}\nw• a lransislor series rcgulalor f<it 12Y DC input.
At A, the base of the NPN tran~i•tor fa kept at a •table voltage
by the dluJc ZUI, whidt receives cumnt thro ugh RI, 270 n
Y.. wan. A 400mW tliuJe is adequate here, as it only has lo
conuul the b.ase current o f lhe uansinor. The emitter voltage,
and con~uently output, i$ itabifocJ at ne111 tlte base voltage,
fur tclauvelr lar~e chanRes in current drawn.
A smQI\ difference in pulenlial cxi>ts between base and
emitter, and may be around 0.6V. ·zn1 can thus be 5.6V, for
a 5V output. An output test with a me ter should be made
before connecting equipment.

+ T Il l
.
RI
@ .. ZDI
•

+ RI
TRI
.
@ VRI
+ ORJ
ZPI •
R.<

- FIG . 5 .

J,l
 Cin:uit B allows adjustmenc of output voltage. ZDI providl
• :JighUy higher voltage th•n required, md VRl allows tile bu
of the control trarui.rtor (•nd oulpul voltage) to be set, with
the 111d of"" accurate, high-rc.11lance •oltmeter. ZD I may
llo 6V or of higher voltage. YR.I c<n be arountl 500 ohms, or
may be of lower value, with R2 in ,.,,;.,,, to open out adjust·
menl. R l i< ieduced to 150 oh:m, 14 watt. R3 may be pmvidei
to draw a small current ~hen no oxtemal lwd i< piesent. R3
can be 470 ohm. .
Cl can be added for an AC operated supply, for eleclronic
"11\(>0thing of output vi• th• transistor, and can II• 100 µF, 10'
Various NPN audio and ouTput type tran<istors may be used
10 •uic the maximum current likely to he required. The
110 t 39 is suitable for J.5A maximum, •nd for brger current
tile 21\3055 ;,; unlikely to be e~cccdcd. A ~. panel, case
or hcot·sink should be utilised ••mounting, to keep tcmperatw
d~wn, exc~pt for Jow currents ,,.,rhere this is unuc~eJ~ry.

AC SUPPLY
F~111e 6 shows meam of obtaining power from AC mains.
C1<cuit A has a centre·t•pped tron.rormer. With this met.hod.
Cl will charge up to ju~t over I .4 t!n~s the indicated rectifier
cunnec1ing roints. So with a 9-0- .9y >econdary, Cl will
ruch about 12.6V. The voltoge across Cl will'fall, as current
"dr•wn. When th» has dropped 10 the le¥el where 7.D I

®
+

- + +

_L.
F I G . 6. l
12
 (Figure S) can no lunger be supplied , control ceasu anti output
e voltage also falls.
Cl can usually beeboot I SV worlting, and atleas\ 1,000 µf
for each l ampere. If the ocwndary "of ltigher ,·oltage, Cl
can be uted lo 'uit.
Circuit Bis similar hut uliC• an untapped secondary. A
•insle 9V r.>Utpul replaces the 9-·0-9V of circuit A. In each
case the rectiftero may be SOPIV IA, or IN4001 and similar
type•. again up·rated where larger c urrent is wanted. A bridge
may be preterrctl for .ll, insread of iJl.dMdual rectiJ\ers.
·n1e circuits in Figure 6 are not intendt d to supply current
direclly. but to provide an input for resula ton such as those
in Figure S from which the required SY will he obtai ned.
Figure 7 ir • complete :.upply. Here, a 6.3V heater rype
secondary Is conveniently uiiCLl to provide some 7V to llV or w
aervss Cl (1000 µF - 2500 µF), ae<:ordlni to load. The diode
ZU I maintains Tri base at appmxlmalely 5.6V, for approxi-
mately SY output. C2 (47 µF) is for electronic m1oolhing, and
is some times omitted. C3 (220 µf) provides a·low impedance
reservoir as abrupt change. in current draln arise with LEOs,
.decoders and other ICs.
rn building thi• an<l similar circuits, draw current from.
3-pin plug with a 2A or other low ,.ting fuse. This allows
c..rlhing uf the secondary, for safety. A neon in<licator {small

F IG . 7.

13
nenn with 270k to 470k seeks resiitor) may be placed across
the transformer primary.
An earthed metal case ls preferr<J . and Tri can be attach
10 a smsll heat sink. o< may be mnunted o n the case. F..xccpt
where lhe <ink itself is foxed with Insulated bushes and washers
Trl i• isolated electrically ftom the •ink (or C!!Sc) by me am of
T066 insul.tion set for the 2N3054, or T03 set for the
2N3055. 'This has• thin shapcJ in<ul~tor to go between
t1ansis1or and sink, and bu•hes tn 81low tLXing while mainlainl .
b1sulation between transistor body and case or sink.
A tagboard or tagstrips wiU .. rve to mount the capacitors
and other items. p.,,itive and negalive output so~kct• will
&!low easy con,,.,ction of e><temal eq11ipmen1.
A check of output an he made under anticipateJ load
conditions before lir$1 usuq? the wpply.

IC REGULATOR
The LM309 imcgrated circuit 1egul•tor< are panicula•ly
useful for 7400 type ICs and ulher 5V supplies. These
regulators automatically provide SV. They have internal
curr~nt \imhing, and thermal <hut down, thus protecting theni-
selves and the power supply fo.im a •hmt drcuit or severe
overload. The 1.M.l09H hao • TOS case, to which a finned
heat <ink can be fitted, and iuu11able fur 200mA. The
l.M~09K is of T03 siu, and •Uilaf>le fot IA.
Uese regulators llavc only three connection•. in, out and
negative. Ibey moy be mountod on·hoard in some applic•tion
Here, distribution of power is at a higher voltage, and each
bubrd with its !Cs has its own regulator. This ha.' advantagts
for farge equipment,., it avoids extensive distribution of•
re~ulatcd supply.
Figure 8 is the circuit of• complete SV supply. able. to
provide·in exces.i of lA , using the L~l309K regulator. SR may
be fnurindividual IN4001 rc~1Hku foTup to !A, or any
' l nular I A 50PiV IYJ'CS, or l .SA •ecllfiers for maximum
rating. Altetna~ly. a bridge type may be u3ed.
There is >0me la!ltude 111 T l .c<:<>nd;uy, but approximately
8V 1hould be found across Cl. at least, under full load, Some
6.3V lransfom1ers are suitable; others will not allow this tn be

14
 ,,.
+
~
SR + +

... r-c~
~

T_CI

{. ri F I G. 9 .
1 -•

maintained. A 6.3V winding of fairly l.rge currtnl roting, such

as 2A <>r mnre, i• m~t likcly to he •ucc..sful. Otherwi•e Tl
scoondary can hest he of slightly Mghef voltage raf.ing, such as
9V. A centr~tapped secondary, A in F~~u1e 6, can be used
instead (cyplc•llY ~)-0-9V or similar). Tf th• voltage·acms~
Cl falb below about 7V, regulation rnay be los1.
The LMJO'JK i~ mounled on the Ch3ssls, pa11el or case, or
on internal metal lmcl:et, and thb i• common to the negative
line. Heat to~ c;irried away is not~ i:reat. As example.
with 9V input, and 5V outpul, at I ampere, only 4 waits
dissipation arbe11 in the JC.
A meter check prtor to first use should show that the out·
out is •ery cl.,.e to 5V. Thi• i• not relaled to the input voltage
of the IC, except where T 1 provides insufflcient voltage. CI
m•y be 2200 µI' -4700 µF, 12V •nd C2 JOO µf, JOV.

NIXIE Svl'PLY
ii round 2SOV OC is required for the f';bde, but only about
I mA h> 3mA will be needed per n umeral f igure 9 is • sullablt
S<Jpply. The vnlt~ acr0$S Cl will ~ approximately l .4 tinieA
the l<.MS seeondary voltage of transrormtr Tl. CJ can be
.l50V, R µF to :12 µF, and R.l is a bloeder, and cs.n l>e 220k
1 \\·alt. The rectifier can l>e a 2SOV 40mA brld~e. or four

15
 I +

\. N
I
E
~-- ..·- -- - -- - -
C-1 r_.
F IC . 9.
RI -

llld hidual rectifiers if picfer.,,d. Halt-waw: rectification is also

f<a<ih!e.
Operation from 2SOV will l>e thrnugh an individual 33k
resistor for each GN4 tube, or 47k for JG\ 13 and 56k for J(N3
tub.c s, with 220k to 47Uk for a d teimal point. low voltage
reduces brilliance or result$ in no dl$pl~y or imperfect numeral:
High vol1age causes• reductii>n In tuhe lite.
With a particular lransfmmor at Tl , voltage may be reduced
by pl..:ing a resi:!tor bctwee11 second.ry md rectifiers or
between rec liller positive and Cl pc»ltive, and reducing t he
value of R I so that some ado/l\ional stea<ly load is present.
1>raw mains power from o 3·pln plug baving a 2A fwe, •nd
eorth the se.:ondorr ciccllit at ncgat ive. at $hown.
I !tc Nixie •ui>rly and SV sup ply for the !Cs c:m he ohtalned
from nne transformer, using also n low voltage •econdary, and
IC i>r 1ransis1or regulator, as Shown.
Multiplier for Nixie Su11ply
A hi~h "'lltage supply for a Nixie numeral tube can be ol>tairu:d
wllhouc chc use uf a tra•sforiner having• high tension
..:con<lary, by using a voltage quadrupler, Figure JO.
fl. transformer ...;Ill J2V an d '24V :ld:On<l3!k~would all-Ow
t he 12V tapping lo be used wilh ns own rectifier, Zener diode
and series transistor, for a 5V >upply . The 12V and 24V
windings in ""ries will proviuc 31\V Input for the quadrupler. If
placin11- the windings in Serie• prnvldes a reduced voltage,
•
i6
 Jr- I N4004
--c:Jl-:j;-
+ + +
-+ +

] 1-2-·J IF-

FIG. 10 .

reverse cunncction~ tu one.

01her trunsformen may of coune bo used. TI10 c•entual
outpul ,oltase with no load is •pproxlm3tely 4 x 1.4 x RMS
<. seconrl~ry w ltage: Lo•ded, this falls rather rapidly, and WM
found to he J80V with the cir wit. •hown.
I'our l N4004 Qr similar rectifiers aie ~uitahle. All the
c•p>cilnrs may be 4 µ F, J 50V. Cap•clle>rs C>f higher working
volt.all" m•y be used, and all need nnl be of the same voltage
ratinR. They should best be of about simil>r capacitance. and
can be o! lar&er ....i~, such a• ll µF
Thh drcuil hos no advantage over dint shown earlier, except
th•t a high voltage .. condary is not required on the transformer.
Rectifier~ anti capacilors arc readily as<emblcd ou a toghoard .

17
 FR.OJECTS

NIXIE NU}IERATOR
Various.popular ~anw' which combiM skill and chance use a
to obtain number>. ·The simplest (e.g., such as Snake• & Lad•
arc wholly chance, bt1l the more skilled (such as Dackgammo1
are determined in varyutg d"f."'es by the playc11' abilities, tht
element of chance alkiwin~ the ks' $kilful player some s=u
The Nixie Numerator $hown here will replace a dice . As
!lescnbed, it provides a number from O·to 9, rhus slightly
' opening out' sume gamu. This is a wcl<:onied.modiflcution
for some playeT!. However, wl)ere lh• usual 1 to 6 is requirea
this can be obtained by the modiftcotion• de tailed lattr.
Pigure 11 is the complete circuit (except lor tloe 11ower
supJ)liet). Two tra,,•istcir< 011erate as a niultivib,1atm when l
push .witch is clrued, Y11lues l>eing chosen to gi>-e a vi<il>le y•I,
quite rnpitl ch.nge of <lispfay. Cl provides electr9nic '
cmnmenuuu•. pulsescontinlie 10 arise for a sft0tt time after
the switch is released. '!'his simulate• the effect of manv
mechanical de\'iCC< of similar kind. '
Pulses go to l 4 of !Cl, the binary codeJ <ledmal decade
counter integrated circuit. Thi• IC proVide• outputs along
its J, 12, 9, 8 and 11 ta&' which arc 0 to 9 in binary fon)l. ltl
Is a <lecouer.dciver. and decodes its blnaT)' Inputs al 3, 6, 7 a
4 into !tingle ended output< at pins 16, 15, etc., which conne<1
to NiXie i•u1s I 3, I 2, et~ .. to di•play numerals 1, 2 and •o on.
I t i• appar~t that al>.it ran<lom numeral display is wante<l,
the 01~tp1.1u 16, 15 and ~o on, to 2, coul<l.lie connected to an)
of the Nixie pins 13, 1·2 along to 3. Thece would then ~ S01'Q
chanco, but permanently set ••qucnce of numeral•. This is
readil y provfdeJ by taking these ten lead• ar random t0 the pl
They are shown in correct order in Figure I I because thi•·
1
does not effect !he eveulua] working of lhe Numerator, an<l
COlll<l catu;e oonruslon loter, " hen referring to cifC\Jits in whil.\l
mimt>ernnust ap~ieilr co rrectly.
Thus the nnmbcrs0-9 foUow ·~h C>lhrr and re peat rapitllv
~"long a$ !be push switch is held clo.-d by th< player, but •to'!:
a little wl<ile after this i< released. The mullber nhtained
remains di•played·1inlil th< swlrch is pressed again.

• •
 T•ts 5 r:ii the IC~ar.d;ir posiliVnuppJy lines, and rn..,,i:I
12 ~re cun1mo11 ~1\ltive, as Sho,.n. l'ur1.her details on
huilding •Pl"'•' lalcr.
---·----- ----··..-·---·----..
+ ii\
••
••

! .,.

•
b
-'---- - -__;

--- -.-
i}i
. .- i
~
~
l
=! 1
::1 I
l
l..___..._.~-
a,

·---...·------_J
IY
._,
p
(vmpiment$ (or·,¥f:de 0-9 Numerator (FigursUJ
(R•~istors ·~w 5'1<.) ·
RI 2:2k !:.I 47nF
R'.? 33k Tr 1rrr2 2N3706
R3 I Si: IC! 7490,'\
R4 lk JC2 7441N
R.S. 33k ~W Push swltclt
er 470 i.<F 6V '.\ixie GN4
C2 2 µF uV 16 pin arid 14 pin DH. hol~er~
C3 2 µf 6V Roard

I - 6 N umerntor
The drcuit ofthisisshuwn in f igure 12. Adif~erent
integuted eircujt u U$ed in Ille IC I position, and oocputs are
so arnmged that the decod.e<-dmer I(,".! is openitC<I ooly in stKh
a woy lS to obtain I tu 6. t here ls not • delay ""ch as would
resulr if die o ther oui p\lls were merely disconnec~!l.
Jn Figure 12 pins 6, 5, 4 and 3, for the unu""d numet'als 7,
. &, 9 and 0, are connected alread)' if the Nu1rielator is derived
fn:>m that for (}--9; dcS<:ribcd •arl\or. If the tube is connected
for 1- 6 only , and ha7,e nppears, ~onMct these ieads al~o .

.(;cmp()rtents for J . 6 Numerator ( Fixure 12}

(Rui•t<m Y.<W 5%)
RI 2.'.ll Tr!;Tr:! 2N3706
R2 33k !Cl 7492:\
1U I SI< 1C2 7441N
K4 lk l'u•h •witch
R~ 33k~W Nix.lo C.N4
·c1 2 µ f.6V 16 pin and 14 pin J)JL ltol<l•r1
C2 2µF6V R<>nrd
(',3 47nF

l'tJn~tr11c tiou
figure< 11 and 12 are"' similar that on~ general layoui will
be "'•U suited f.,.. either. Thus only u~ is actually shown. The
mall! diffcttncc arisu ill the c01u1eclion• to ICJ .• namely 9--0.
8-' ••d JI 4 ror t he(}--§ Numeratnr, widt 2 and 3 alsu
1;roundcd, while only 6 and 7 arc $r<>unded for ti.e 1-6 ·
Jllumcralnr,.and JC! to l C2 l•ad• •re 11-6 and "-7 with 4 nf

'20
IC2 g1<.1W1<1£d: By tuing J -&lied f>oatd !.ht,.. ci...n~ 3n:t
readily accommo.)arcd, or even the on• lype changed to lh<>
orher.
f.igure 13 mow• wlrln~ on<! layout for the O· 9 :\ umerat<J.r,

,_,__

"''
I
"'"
'.
__ _..,..
-. i
Nl
:: I
'
..!!'\
UV
"'

21
 ,------- --· .. ·- ·
"'I "'" " " ...... .. ..... : .. .,. . ...
·---- ...-,
O
:~11 _________~ -- - ---~-r'
'
~ ---
(.'. \.. 0 .,

:"'. "~!".R.lJ"·
I
r. .+···-· ····-······v/ r-,·-.~:...,
1
I N : " :

..····· .. ...a:;. )
~ r'~ u •
l ·-·,.
«i :' . "". '
a:: .I
. ·-·--·--··· '
;------- .......,..1
•'
"f! :
•I
Q, • .~...
l.:- + "' CC1·1"• , ,
. ... __"----.....
~ _____.... __
. . . .........
___ ____ ,,,;....___,.
' () .,.

r
: ~·2· .. ··::· ~ : f:!·:·~~
: ~~ ~~ ·~ :J;
j ~ ~ ~ :...:--. :.;-:::~;·,. .~"- ~ !;::_ j
I

I . '
I .........:-= O•··
· -....:._;c_......;
; ~Q ,.. .
~-~ .......~~ '
._.,;...___~·r---+......:' --··
.,__ ___ ~,.. :::~:!~::::J 0
......... --- .. -.... ,. '"' . -.... -.......

using a boud 17 x 21 holes in liize. Stout wire;, not re'luired,

and is best avoided, 28swg being a~•quate. The undenidc of
the board is shuwn. The !Cs. cCJmpononts, and some
connection,. ln broken lines, arc on the other side of the board.
To take the IC hulder pins. O. lin matrix perforations tre
neccSAary. A Sm•ll hon should be ulCd for <O!dcrbig, as there
;, not a.great deal of free space where m•eral connections or
joints occupy adjacent holes. Resistor, transistur and capacitor
leads come down through hoks a• shown, 11ml connec tlon.s·
can then be made to the variou• points.
Suldei on red 3nd black fuxihle leads !or pomive •n<l

22
n•@•livc 'UPl'lies. Also two flexible leads at 1', for the push
switch.
Tenexiernal leads run from IC2.. from I, 2 anti 8 to 16
(exdud1ng negative at 12}. These may be very thin flex; or
thin >inglc itnntl wire with small diameter h1sulatcJ sleeving
rruiy ho u~ed. Take each of these !cods in tum up through an
adjacent hole, as shown. leaving them a few inches lont.
l"ig111c I 4 show< a convenient method of mounting the ·
C.N4. The panel h:lll an aperture sliglllly too small to allow the
front (lf tho tube to pass through. A 6ba bolt is fitted each side
of this. hole. A piece of illsulating material, such as paxolin oc
hardboanl, is cut and drilled to fit on 1J1ese bolts, and this h•s
a =•lier hole, to clear the tube pios. The tube i< placed
between the partd and this piece. ood set with numerals
•Crlical, and nuts put on t<> clamp it in poslrion. No force
should t>o u .. d. The flying leads can then '.>e taken to tile
various pins, using short lengths of •leevin~ io form push-fit
councctiuns, in the way described.
nus method of assembly cau readily bo extended for more
tll<ln ope tube, by drilling the panel and a long backiug Wit?
for the required number of digil<. One h(llt each end, and one
between digits. will be adequate.
Where chassis type holders witJ1 fixing holes are used. these
may be mounted on a suh·panel in the usual way, an<I will hold
the lube< in pl<)ce Surplus circuit-board holders con.silting of
a ring..of $0Ckcts may be mounted on a thin insulated panel, or
may be put un lhe tubes after th.ey hav~ been fineg a~ in
Figure 14. It is necessaiy to use thin matorfal for the hack
Slrip.
II is also quite cai<y lo mark an insulated panel with the pin
position•, using ink on the pins, or carl>on paper, and lo drill
smoll holes for them. Tubes can then be mounted by fitting
them to tlte panel or board, anti can be held in pface by the leads
themselves, filled closely to the board.
Run • ileparate imrulated lead away from pin 2, so that it can
y> to tile serie• limitiogre$l$tor, wluch can be rnounted oo cite
board or on a tag .trip.
\Virtng :is in Figure 14 will allow tJ1c ranel with .tube to be
set n.1 over the circuit board and a depth of about 3in {7bmm)
inside the c""' will be <ufficient. The pu&h switch is on the

23
f
•

.••
• .. :~···

.....· ,
·.
"··•.•.
"::::~::

.
::.:·· ....:•> 0

<:.

O "

p~nel (or case top) near the tube, !hi• giving casie8t operation
in play.

''STEAUY HANU" WITH COUNTER

The amusin~ game whicll oomists nf thre•ding a •mall nng
a!OUR a stout wire or rod, while avoiding cont•ct, can be

24
1mpruvcd by •tltling a counter. Thi• is tnitiall~· (et at 0, but
etxttact ~tween the ting and rod advances this, and the test is
to complete the wltole 'course' in a given time with under 9
indic•ted.
Figure 15 is1he circuil, and lhiS inch.u.le~ a muHivibrJ.tor
which prod11ces an audio tone when rina and wire touch, as
w~ming. Suitable valuL'S for RI Lu R4, and C l and C2, are
given, but there is actually considerable Jati111de here, and in
the transisttn·s u~d. Smaller capacilor values ant.I lower value
resistors ralse pitch. C3 couples the audio 10 a small speaket,
connected at S. This ~hould be of 8 ohm or higher impedance.
The multivibrator part of the circuit is readily checked by
itself, by complcling tltc connection from VR I to ncg><tivc.
C4 cha~cs each time ring Hild "''re iouch, mm-ing 14 of
IC2 ncg;iith·e, through ltS. This ad>anCC• the count, tlecoded
by IC I, •nd laken lo the Nixie lube.
Without thi• delay network, formed by the ca1•acitors and
includist~ VRl , whar is arr>arently a sintllc cuntacL bcLween
the ri.nl( »OU ~~tire may in tac.t be reve.111.eU a' a v:hole s;ucce~sion
of contact. and interruptions, of extremely short duration, but
able to advance the counter. In use, set VR 1 so that • brief hut
definite con lacl between the ring and wire c•u•es the speaker
lo sound, and lhe count to advance by I. C4 tends to
lcnglhcn operation of lhc audi<> oscillator, and sound rrom
lite 'llCaker.
ll 1t fess.bl• to use a longer and rather 1no>rc diJT1Cuh
'cours->' "'dlh 1his 'dJtaugetnenl~ compared lo that \l:here a
single cQntact between ring and wire will lose the game. Book
number BP48 Electronic Projects for Ue!(inners, published by
Beniaru lhli•ni (publishing) Ltd., contuin< further co11structional
dct•ih .
The Reset switch between 2 •nd 3 of IC2, and 11cgalive
line, is normally cloml. Monlenlarily openi ng this returns the
tulle intlicuti<Jn lo 0, for the next attemr>t. The Reset switch
C-Jn be a pu<l1-button breaking circuit when pressed, or a
spnnR-loaded t011glc wired to gi•c Ii..: ,;imc result.
A>sumlng that this game, like others, can l,., run fiom a
gencnll pu.rp<)SC AC opcraleo power •upply, no furth~r ""'it.clling
i." rcqujred. The transformer primary or nlain on.off ~"'·itch
will control both lone and IC •uppllo•.

25
Qim1>onenu for "StteDdy Hand" with Countu ( FiguFe 1SJ
(Rc•i<tor. 14W 5%)
RI 4.7k C4,CS IOµF6V
Jtl lOOk C6 47nF
R.3 22k Trl/Tc2 2N3704
R4 3.3k IC! 744 1~
RS IOOohm TC2 7490N
K6 lk Reset '"itch
K7 33k ~IV Nixie C::\4
VR I 250 olun prC·i<OI 14 ant.I l(q>in DIL holders
CJ,C2 0.1 µF Board, etc.
1.:3 o. 22 j.tf

"TWINKLE TREE..
This ls an easy proje~I for beginners, ant.1 lw a number of
oppticalious. A •equence often light emitting diodes flash o~
one al• tim•. this beln~ repeated so Jong as 1!1c circuit is
ope I'll ting.
The LEDs can be used on a small table dccorJtion, in llte
form of a Chri•tmo.• tree. e\'ergree.. or ortificial, or a •uilablc
11lcture; or they may be placed at vadous points on a hangJng
dcenration, such as a ln111ch of mistletoe, nr can be incoiporat.ed
in other <lccomtions or models. Thh provides an intere•tlng
and novel twinkling effect.
The same circuit can be used wilh the LEDs placed cound a
numbered boor;!. so lha1 rhey 11""1 on In tum "'i th a re»OIY\n~
effect, anti can be halted by opening a sw11c1L
' Figufe 16 is the complete circuit, including a smaU maim
power supply for opera lion from AC mains. If runnin~ i• lo be
from an existing supply, or bat1e1ie•, omit ZDI, DI, RG. C4
and Tl. The supply negiuive g<>es to the "E" line, and positive
to lag,• 5. It shou!U be oppmximately SV, a.• explained.
The multivibrinor Tr If h2 prod\ICCS pukes "ilich fonn the
mp11t to the bina.ry coded decimal dee.de counte1 JC'J, at tag
14. This IC count.• lh• pulses and provide• a binary output
at 1- 12, 9, 8 and JI. Tag 5 is its po•itive line, and 10
negative line.
Wirli counter. havin@ two or more numerals, as shown later.
l~e IC Can pass on a p1dse to the "!em" &ecti01L Here. it Is

27
 Q

:::

.... 1 - - -_J
"'

I
,- 7 "'.l
-·---1
I
1·

~-----
_ _ _ _ _J

I
l

... ___ _ _
--~~.....;;;. . .~·-·_,:___ 28 ,_
._
 u.•ed al<>ne.ll.lld :.-e~eal~.the same sencs of output< o~~·af\d
ovu <0 !Qng ai pulses ore applied lu 14.
ICl "a decnder·driver; lts purpnse is to receive the various
inpuis at 3,6, 1and4, and decode them into ou1pots al 16,
15, !i, 9 and su un, olung tu 1.anu '.?. Thus e~ch.nf these ten
points (J(> to 2) provides a circuit 10 the 3pprOpJia1e LED in
turn.
All ttie I .ETls are returned. throust1 the co1111non limirin~
resistor R$, <O operate from the !>ame SV line. Th• effect is,
that each UlO i< illuminated in turn, alonR che line, and wl1e11
the last is reached, this is foJlow,'<l by th• first, and the <£quence
i• repeated. Check the l,EO r<>larlty, atld mark this with red
sluv1119, or other means, if the. U:D. hOYc no means of
idenuilcauon (Imig kad Of Oal si~c).
Pur the 'Twinkle Tru' tlie ten LFDs ar" scattered at randoo1.
and Jny J,1:0 could be connected lo •ny of the outputs 16 lo :2.
Howe\-er, for the Roulelle, ·where an apparent rotating
indicali<>n i• wanted, they should be U\ •eq11•nce in (he·order
.,; sht>wn .
Onl~' one LED is on al a thne, so current drain i!i only some
~mA or so, ·and this makes batteiy running feasible. This can
be 5V, obtained as expl3ined (6Y must not be used), or can be
4.5V from three I .S V cells.
Tl (6.3V secondary) provides about 'JV across C4, and R6
drops lhas for the 5.1V Zener diode ZOI. I\ met.r placed
"~<>$3 lhb diode "'1ould show about lluS voltage.
,.. Ma111s current ;,, drawn. from a 3·pin plu~ with 211 fuS<O, and
tit.is pruvidos safety earthing of thO" secc:mdary and Ji;w volt.age
circuit. A 'double insulated' transfomier spedfied •S requiring
no ca1chio~ may be opcraLed without earthing. :\attually
conslruc.tion an<l \Vi ring must. ai;:sure that O(l mains voltages can
r.ach cf\e <ec<>nda ry or low voltage circuits.
With 3 b3ttery or ext~mal power l'""k. •~'"'e polarity;,,
correct. A thin rc<l·black cord frnm the unit, with 2·pin non·
1C\·eraible pl'ug and matcliing socket on the power rnpply. will
be con\•enlent for ~ SY fot tlli$ and oilier appaiatus.

koulcllc
'lbc only change required i• to place a 1•ush·button switch in
the c:c>nnection hctween the transi~tor e1nirters and negatj~·e
 lure.· The l.F.Os will then be illuminated in sequence .n long a
thl• i• lteld ·closed, and Or\e will r.:main lit \\1lell 1l" releaoed.
A sliAAtly hif)1er •reed may be ad<>pted, by changing R3 to
15k.
i\ hoard should ha" "citcle drawn on it, and shuuld be
divided inlo 10 p;iinted sectors, each with irs ow11 light
emitting diodo. The LED. can be a pu!f1·li1 in holes drilled \n
rhe board, <U Or in irommet.s, wilh connections unclerne:ath.
Join all 1•i:>silivC> together, a11d to RS. Ten thin flexible leads,
rnni:ting from 16 to. 2, call then he so!Jcrcd w the individual
LEU..
Tile push swllch is best 0111<1p of the box. With battery
running, place an On·off switch in. one: battery coon~clion.- Tht
mains 'Twinkle "l'ree' or R.ouklle ;., intended to he unplu~ed
fton1 the mains 14•hen not in use so does not require .11. S\Vitch.

Cirmi1 Board
Fi~ure 17 shows cumpQnents on Lup of the board, which is
0.1 in matrL~. 14 x 18 holes, with fnlls ruu11ing vertically.
\\1iere foiis are used as cnnductors, 1hese are indicated with
brokeo lioes ll 1s necessary Lu ma~c foil breaks between tho~
p•m of·the cin:1Jit which must Ml !>e connected, under Cl al)d
C2, between upper and lower rows (lf tags of each TC, betwee11
J, 2 an<l 5 of IC2 an<l 14, 13 and I 0 oflCJ, a. clear f11>m
Figure 17.
First place the IC holders in p<>sitlo11,Jd solder the t~.
t:se a small iron and amid exee;s sold~r. }i<1rt7.ontal wire• in
Figure 17 non on tup of the board, andcan be 24swg wire. l't~
sleeving on the ludfroni !Cl 5 t11 R2,.and i!lso solder on red
and bla<k flexible wires for the supply.
Note that the base and collector lead• of the transi•tor.s are
differently posiliuned.
Foil breaks can be made with a f•w turns of a sharp <frill,
/1eld in the fingCJS or in a handle. l!x;amine die.c carefully to
:.ee that each conductor is cvmpletely cut, and that pnints or
foil arc not >preod outv.·ards to tnuch ad.ioining foils (lf joims.
If wished, tl\e transislor multivlbrttlor can he tested witll
heauphones or similar mean; in advance; and sho1\ld be hcanr l1:i
protluce a contin\Jous seritS of pulses .:at n1oderat.e spcctl.
The inte~ra1cd circuits will usuall)· ha.,.,,·pins $J><C•ti tuu

___...._......___.....______________
..,, .
30
ci
 ..---'f7-- -l-' 1 I
'i- Q
"'· - +..,j.._,,,
•
-·+--; __i __
!:!I \.__JQ1
·"' ' .,
+"'
-i-
-·i..._ ,
~I 11
.;. !:! .. !-.- --- -- = "l l l
~,; " :b --- ; • =~: :t I
u

--~--- ----J .. -• '!!JII I

- - --0--------------'
"' _ __ _ i

wide to flt the S()Ckers easily. 11tcsc c•n bo bent in very sli~ttly
by prcs~ng lhe IC on a fl<tt surfac~. As.1ure the indentaliun or
sput marking l is at the correct end of tho SQclcet, in eaclt case.
The teu points marked L take tl\u1 floxlble leads, wldered
through tho holes, and later co!llli:clcd 10 l\~ti'I¢ at tile
individual U.Ds, .a in Figure 16. I he complctctl board can be
filled m a smiill plastic case, wh.ich may alw hold the ballcry,
~·'herethit; 1i; ti'.') be ur.ed.
For the Roulette game. dis.;ormect the lead which runs

31
from cmitten to 2 of ICI , and hring l'!'O leads from the.e
pomts t.o a <wilch wMch makes co ntact when p re,.ed. The
periodicity is •lightly increased (chis may be done by reducing
R2 or RJ. or carac11or C l or C2) so that motion is too r• pid
for any(lne lo select particular numbers.
It wUI be noted that in Figures 16 and 17 t he numbering
for !Cl and IC2 is when v1ewin~ these Cron1 above.

Components for "Twitrklt 1'rec 'und LHJ) Ro.,leitc (Figure 16)

(Ruisiots II\\' 5~)
RI 2.2k IC I 74\IOX
R2 33k JC2 744 IN
RJ 33k DI 1N4001
R4 lk l.Dl $.IV 400mW Zener
RS 220 ohm Diode
R6 33 ohm *W Tl Trsnsformer wilh 1;,3v
CI 2 µ.F 6V secondary
·c2 2 µF 6V Push •Wilch
CJ 47nF or 0.05 µF !)IL 14 pin holdtr
C4 1000 µF l 2V OIL 16 pin holdl'r
Tri 2.' 13706 lOoffLF.Ds
Tr2 21'3 7()6 BClard, e tc.

SIX-SPOT
The Six-Spot uses a comhonation of gates, ope ra\ctl from a
d ivider which is pulsed by a multivibrator, and produce< a
d1'play wllicli r~emb!es \bl<t of the u•ual six·sided dice, It can
thus be c mplDyed for various games. The d ispl•y changes
continUQUS!y while a p11sh.switch is held closed, and remains
illuminttted when tt\e switch is released, so that the number
~•n be read. The changin~ ur running speed can ht read~y
modified, but is a littl• too fast for auyon~ to select
particular wan ted numbers by releasing the ~witch.
or
The Six·Spot consi.•ts three secuons:. t~• 2·transistor
multivibrator, which produces pulses to drive the !Cs; I~
four !Cs with gates •rr~nged to produce t he ~quired displ•y,
and the light emitting dioJes, wi th tllelr series limiting
resistors.
Current required Is about 60mA to 80.nA or so, •o ·Utal if

32
"'"lied operation can lie ftom a battery >upply. An on-0ff
switch is pbced in Qne supply or battery lead, to switch off
c<>mrleteli• whe!l !he Six-Spot is not in use.

[..ED Sectio!l
Th• top of the caso carties the LEDs providing the display.
and also the (M!Sh-switcl1. 'Ibis is of con•en1iun:.J type, closin~
,.i.en pressed. Tit.is cumpletes the nega!h'C circuit to ooth the
multivibrator cniitters, and the rate at which the display run•
n1ay be modified by altering the valu03 of Cl and C'.! here, (II'
tho values ofR2 or R3, Figure 19. Smallur ca1>acitor values
raise the changing freq\len£y.
Tn ecnnom~ oo sp.cc, the LEDs, \\.1th scri., resislors, are
fitted to a neat top paMI, and the muhivihrntor and !Cs UCCUP.Y a
boartl to be mounted underneath.
1:isure 1!.\shows the underside of the LEO disrloy. Tlte
LEDs ~re arranged to llg)lt in arrangcment1 corresponding lo
1he spots on a dice, as lnd!cated. Only 0 comes on alone,
indic•ting I. More tlwt one circuit may be completed . Thus
A. II, F and G indie•le 4, wh~ <\ith D .J.w nn, 5 is displayed.
RI limits.current tluough A and G in series. Simit.1ly. R3
is fu• C >nd R, and R4 for B and F. Ho1>ever, R2 is for D
orily, so is of higher value.
Check the LEDs for l'Olarity, with tho s11p1•ly and a limiting
teslstor, •n<l if-no po!Jtrlty indication is present, provide thl~. A
touch of red paint could be use<I, or $hOl1 piece> of red sleeving.
Do nut bend the LED legs near the bod)', or the LED may fall
to worl< afterwards.
/\convenient .size for th• board is about 3 x 3in (76 x 76mm).
Th• LF.Ds may be a push flt in hole• drlllod for the purpose,
and be ~cured with adhesive, or can l>e a pwh fit in
~mmmet~ which in turn can be put in tho holes.
Thin. flexible leads will run from the points shown, to 3, 4,
8 and 11 on the lC bwrd. Also pro•ide a n:d flexible lead for
the comrnon po1dtive.

Components for I.ED B(){lrd (Figure.f8J

RI, R.3, ll4, 120 ohnd~W 5%
lU 270 ohm !GW 5% l'llnel •1>1•rox. 3 x 3in,
7 off 7mm 01 similar LEO.. -(76x 76mm)

33
 + +
:"·
·.·. oil ... Cl
+
...
't
"' "··•.
C!
...:·:.. f
··. + .- .,
"'
"....
< f! u u.
ii(
+ +

[JDD o·~Fl
o oooLJbJ O

The llD board anrl LEDs cbn l>c te.ted by takiiig the
positive wir• to a SV supply. Tcmpnrarily laking 3 Lo nega tiv
shoul~ light D. Similarly. 4 sl1ould liRht Band F, while 8
should li9,h1 Cand F.. Connecting 11 lo nes>1Jvc of the S1'ppl~
should li.~ht /\ and C. If any circuit fails to operate, check
WD ~olarily in particular.

~Julti•ibnitor Section
"Ibis occupies !he left of the hoard, l'igure-19. 1be boaid is
0 . 1in matrix, 23 x 32 l1oles. :\i,tc that the emitter circuit tun•
 ------·-------------~
0: : - - - - ; 0 . . :

if ! ·'J ! ) 1~:1· !'l

',
;, -
!; .
o: \ • ':I:
11
t I
~
1'° t
,...

: • : •
i
I .-,
f
,
I
I
I
1
I -
,._

f?TfI' :I . :I
'II'

~_., ~1 -"1
'
:
I
•

! ~ -:
:.., :1 1: 1 1'1
I : I I I
I
I I
I~
'; '~I ' ' ' ' :__;'
.: 1• : I I : ' I 1 1
_, •--' ·-·~ '--1 I
I I I • : I
f

I
I
'
I
I

•
.
I

:
'--: · t ; :
--L-- -----1 -: , I
f'-
' ' I ~
.
........., ..........:-i h I ! : •I I

'; r·.~j t\i

0

I ~ \
'1· ! I; i ';1-l-i
I ~
. :1 " ,'. :

I ti
. ~ - · t<:k
\ ·"- ....
.., . . ,I
L.! ! !- • r :
I
,,..._,., '- 1 +
•• -•-------, L !-----1
x : > 'I
! {-----~ ~ _ _ __ J I
I k ~~i-1
:h:·,~:--.::1~
• 'I' "" ••
v =- ~ ~ -···
. 0

:'' ·~ " f
I 1', ' ... r.

~- - "
. .c.i : \
L L.CLl'....:'-
L::: ~•• 1 1
•
~~· ~-'---~~-~
.• ~' '
1

tor, and the push swi«:h wlll he couoected from P to P, •U that

it cuniplotes d1c negative line.
Other points are stra.i$hlfo1ward. Where Cl and C2 are not
tnsulated, they "1ould not much each other.
With 'RI to R4, CJ and C2, and Ttl and Tr2 wired a. mown,
• $V or similar supply can be connected to d1e resistor supply
line, and emitters (Jattor negative). Pulse• •houJd then be heard

35
In ltigli re&lstance pltones a"ross R4, or shown by a meter
connected in series willt 1{4. If this test is not !l!lisfactory.
check the tnmsi•ton. resi~tO< values, a nd oilier items here.
g;iting and di~play cannot oremc if the multivlbrator is
lnopcrat\ve.

Comprm~nts for :l1ultivibra1or .(Figure 19J

(ResiStOfll ~w 5%)
tll 2.21; Cl , C2 2 µF (,V
R2, R3 33k: Trl , Tr2 2.'13706
R4 lk

Integrated Circuit< Section

At fir.I sli;ln wiring Lo these may appear a lie~. complex. but
If carried out systematically, it give• oo difficulty. The met
employed i< to uic fairly thin wite (say about 30.wg) fO< an
but tlte m•in positive and neRati1·e line•, and to run u11dernea
connccU011s from left Lo ri~tt, ond top connections vertically
Use hlllders for the IC$, and count pins frum I co 14 , vi
lhe board from the top.
As example. tuke the two holtom !Cs, the 7404 al the left,
•ntl 7400 •t the right Cut a few inches of wire, and solder it
t o tag 5 (If the 7404 holder. Draw the wire straiglit, and brins
it up throu~ hole X. Take it across the top of the board to Y
•ntl down through this hole. Draw ii scr.iight acros< to Z, and
up throuslt h ere. Take it •erticaOy untit 1..el with 6 of the top
7400, do>rn through the hole, to pin (>, solder and cut nff.
Similarly, 6 of the 7404 goes to 4 of the bottom 7400, and so
(In. -
It is ~ential to use thin wire, and ifthi~ ;, bri.¢1\ t inned
copper, it will lulder rcailily . If kept Waight arid reasoil"bly
taut, no sleeving is icnerall)' required.
The 74 \12 hu pe>Utive and negative at $ and l 0. Tbe other
IC• have po<iti,•c and negative al 14 and 7, as marked. Tltcsc
circuit. are made with slightly SLputer wire. abllut 245w~ i•
COll\'cni01lt.
Uoe thb> Oex or 30swg wire with I mm sleeving for the leads
from ICs \o LE.Os. Thus 4 o f the 7404, marked B, is connected
ro LEO B, 3 and 13 of the top 7400 connect 10 IBO 0 , and If.'
Take e~h lead thrnugh a hole in the board, \o help anchor it.

36
 Conncctioos 9.Jound tbo !Cs may be lkked olf against the
following:
749'.?; 7400
I, 12, to I, 2, 4. I , 2 , 4 lo I , 12.
2. 3, 4, NC. 3, l3 t<J Lt:D.
5 to positive. S to 10.
6, 7 10 to negative. 6to5.
s. ~c . 7, 9 , 10 lu ncga1i,·c.
9 lo J 3. 8,NC.
l lto 11, 12. 11 to 9.
IJ, !\C. 121oll, ll.
14 pul•• input. 13, 3 . to LED
14 to posili,...

7404 7400.
I, 7 to negative, 1. 2 to ne.atlve.
2,NC. 3, NC.
3 to 6, 12. 4 to 6.
4to1..E.D 5, 10, 13, to 12.
S to 6 7 to negal\,...
6 to 4 8, to LF.D
8to 9. 9 lo&.
9 to 11. I l, lo f.,EO.
.IU lo 5. l2,6to3.
111012. 14 to p<>tili>c.
ll to 5.
13 lo 9.
14 to positive.
The· IC< in thi• list ()(<;Uf'Y f!te same rosltl~ns as on the boa1d.
l\C dcnu lcs oo conneclion. .
When inserting the IC•. assure they are the correct way
round and \hat all tags eng~ properly wilh 1hcir sockets.
Tho whole can be cltecked by applying power, and clu•ing
the switch eonnccred to P-P. lndicaliun• <hould change until
this is released, 1-6 lhon remaining, as the ca.•e may be.
~A.. pJastic, metal or wooden c~:se ii suitahle, \Vith
:u:cosnmudation forlhe h•ltery •upply, ur "ith a twin cord for
plugging into a SV suppl~.

:l1
Compm1ents /or lnteglated On:uits Section (Figure 19)
1492
74 04N
2 otT7400N
4 o ff 14-pin DlL holder.1
Cl 4nf or O.OSµ F disc ceramic capacitor
l'udl switch
on.Off switch
Board 23 x 32 holes, 0. l iJI matrix.

NOISELESS SWITCH
For te•ting, clock-setting and other rurposes • manu•lly
operated •witch allowing single pulses is use fol. Ir ~n
ordinaty on-<>ff switch is used atone; multiple intermittent
contacts when making or breaking, almost in~tantaneou.s . nu.
pto•ide a series of pu1... to which the counter or other do\'J
wOI re•rond.
The electronic noisi:le~ s.. Uch ill FiSJJre 20 a'<old• this. 11
u"'' two ofrhe fou r 2-lnpul :'\AND sates • "ailable on the
7400 Quad NANO IC. The oth~r gam may be lefl 11nuscd.
ot e•n be employed for other purposes, when the 7400 is
incorporated in a clock, etc.
Each ll"te rrovidu one illput for th• other, and the first
pulse on moving the switch to P will step forward a binaty
coded deciJl'"1 decade COll nter IC, such as the 7490, o ne place.
Positive an<l ne~tive go to positive and ne~live of lhe
equipment (e.~. SV supply). 'The lead from 3 is t•ken to the
llCO fC, pin !4, nr usual iflput.
The components may be assembled on a small bo~rd, Mth
the 2·way ~witch fitted to the board, or In a panel 1~r case. A
spring-loaded switch can be us:ed, 0< ordinary tome or slide
2-way type.

<:.ompont1nts for Noiulm Swireh (FigrlT• 20)

Rl, R2 lk :6W 5%
7400N
14 pin dual ill line ltolder
Single pnle 2-way switch
0 I In matrix. boord ab<>t1t 7 " t I hole$.

38
 + 14 llCO 14 8CD

t tr'<('~

RI .n---..14,
,,
'\. (
••
•t
•t
t
t
••
R
I
'
'.
- _... --',---·
l!....!..e,~ct
"tl!J...-i-===>'
---:- -
'.
--·
+

0
FIG . 20.

TESTINC BCD DICOl>ER-DRIVER

Figure 21 will provide• 11uide to trouble "1ootiJlg a binary
cod«! decimal decade count4'r and it. ••!Oelated decode>-
d1iver, used In o~r•l• • Nixie numeral tube
F"or te•tinR purposes, a lii:Jit emittin~ diode L can be used
in series with lU (al.lout 390 nlun). A flexJble lead with clip
from RI is attached tu a rosilivc (SV) point. A brig/ii, otitT
wire from the LElJ will sem~ as a prod. and the L£D wjJJ b8)1l
v..l\en lhlS is IO<Jched Oil a n~g;itlve poml. l,IID polarity mu.a
be curred.
!..()~Jc outputs from the 7490 BCD will be high or low,
alons the I 12, 9,8 and 11 tag<. Tttese outp1tls, J-J2,
9, 8 aud l l, are connected directly to the decoder 7441
inr111s J. 6, 7, 4; Therefore hlgh·low tests made at the
l· -12, 9, 8 and l I jX>inisotthe 7490 will •gr« with the

39
 r:
No. PIS p LA YEO. 0 I 2 3 4 5 6 7 a 9
P 1 N, 3 13 12 II 10 9 7 6 5 4 5V
.. +
9 131411 10 I 2
Ill 7441
.. 3 6 7 .. 12
L

1 12 9 e rr
14 74 90
2 ) 6 7
~...---.~~~·..,.-~,..-~ •o

F IG . 2 1

couesponding 3. 6, 7 and 4 points of lh• 744 J. excep1 when

the conductor p~th is defoc1ive. Thi! would indicate a fault
in.wiring, foils, or actu~l soldering, which can then he focatcJ.
Wh•re the hJgh-tmv state.• of the 7490 ace followed
throughout by th• corresponding inputs of the 7441 .
connections from o ne IC to the other, here, are correct.
Wher~ outputs from the 7441(IC.,15 ... 2) are connected
tu the GN4 :\Jxlc pins 3, 13 .. . 4 in the order shown, the
numeral displayed will be 0-9 as shown. •nd will corcespoml
10 the binary appearing on the ronncctinns between the
7490 •nd 7441.
The r•ason for" faulty display can thu• he s1>u3ht as
follow.:
(a) J)jsplay iequence wrong. Chee• 7441 outputs and
corresponding pin numbers.
(1>) Numeral($) Missing. Check :\ixie as de'Cribed. Check
7441 outputs, or £u!J.,titu te oporJting numeral, or check with
HT current meter limiting curr•nt to I n1A. ll\ii will show if
tul>c, connectionx. or 7441 faulty.
To check a 7441 is receiving correct h1pu t•, lhe •witch pulw<

40
(l'igure 20) can be wed. Connect it to po~iUve, negative aud 14
of Ille 7490. Out['lllS from the 7490, whlclt are also input• te>
th• 7441 a• explained, can d1en he checked a• below. :I-lake one
•Cl'les of tests after each pulse, ohsetving the numeral di•played.
'()' h•dfcates that the LED lights when its prod ;, touched on
the IC log listed, Rl being returned tu p<L<ltive as ~nllon ed.

Number Tag
ShOWJ\ 4 7 6 3
0 0 0 0 0
J 0 0 0 J
2 0 0 1 ·o
3 0 0 J I
4 0 l 0 0
5 0 0 I
6 0 l 0
7 0 I 1 I
fl I 0 0 0
9 1 0 0 1

l..<)Rlcal 0 is actually around o. i to o.sv at 10 to I 3mA, and

lngical I may read from al>out 2.SV upwards with a meter only
a(tlng as load for the 7490. Logical I is typ1c•lly 3.SV with a
load drawing 0.8mA frnm the point tested.
It the!<! results are not heing pruduced by the 7490, it is
either raulty, or not being used correctly (check for oniiUod
lead~ wrong voltage, laj\s no t in holder ,ockets, cte).
If the 7490 pmduce; 1110.-;e results, but tlte 7441 docs n<il
give lhe correct output•, it is fault)'. ot circuit incorrccl (check
for "'1orts, omitted lea1ls, etc.).
Thes< tests sltoutd allow a fault to be lncntc·d in a co1111t•r,
driver, or display tube, or •s.<ociatcd wirin~ wi th a. minimum nf
diffw:ulty. Where more numerals are ptesenl. lests ~cd apply
ool)> to 1ha1 whieh is un..tisfaclory. It m•)' be easy to che<:k
some items b)' subshtution, l>y unpluAAtng theni and placing ibcm
in • !<!Clion which operates correctly.
Tho S•me type of 10~1 can be applied hJ circuits h'1ving LED
11ume1ak Refer to the list of decoder-dnver output• hy noting
Ille sector. whid1 will have to be illumiuated for C•ch number,
as glvcn e.:1rlier

41
 Other digital codes are also employed. That for the 7 492
a. follov..:
0 0000
I 0001
2 0010
3 001 I
4 0100
5 0101
6 1000
7 100 1
~ 1010
9 101 1
IO 1.100
J1 l l()J
Tnc "Grey» cnde ch~nl!<'3 only one digit o r bit at a tlnte,
whik the " Exc-:ss 3" code allows complemeiuing by inversion·
0 00 11 9 1100
I 0100 8 101 J
2 0101 7 JOJO
3 011 0 6 1001
4 0111 S 1000

LED RA NDO.\! NUMERATOR

This is among the simpler devices to use employing a LF.0
numeral, and the 11umhe1 d i<played change. rapidly so long as a
push switch is held closed, halting with a number shown when
this is released. It can th11s be used in all kinds of games, as a
sub•tit\otc for dice, or o!her mecbods of oblatning numbers for
lhe players. Children may welcome the addition of Z4ro and 7.
!I and 9, tO the 1•sual I to 6. lfthesc are no t wanted, they
ca111>e ignored when they •rise.
A low volta~e supply only fa required. Tllis can be SV frou1
o ne of the power ll•pply unus des.:nbed, and current drain i•
IOOmA to l SOmA. The Numerator will also (lperatc •a tis facto
foom a 4.SV or 3-t:~ll battery, and curren! drain is \lien about
80-120n1A, !luc!uatin&as the numeral clun,µ.
Figure 22 is the complete ciccuit. Tr l and Tr2 fotm •

42
 ~+
-f
.. "'v
:!
~
i<I
"'a: :e
<>
.. .. 2
ri'
Q "' = .,
...
~~~=Qo-co
=
rr:cn
- N f".l <Ct lin.0,.... _
~

!!! ~
.. ~

= .:! "
"'
"' !!) .:!
1

"
tr.
,I -
.,
'
"' .. ID
"'
er
u
w. ~l
xnult!Vlbrator: providb1~ pulses as in other circuits describeu.
l!ach time Tr2 conducts voltage drop"""''" R4 takes pin 14 of
IC I ne(llltlve, and when Tr2 is not conducting, and wh•n the
push <"itch is open, pin 14 is positive, via the limiting resi.m>r
R4.

43
 IC! i3 a binar)I coded decimal decade counter integrated
circuit •s u'"'d for the Nixie di>plays. Its outputs ~ti~ .Jong
I, 12. 9, 8 aod 1 l, llnd have been dealt with fully.
lC2 is a LEO decodcr·drlver, which decodes tbesc inputs,
~provide. Olllpnts tn light the ccrroct segments of the
7·section um numcnil. 1nus two vertlc•I sectors are lit for
•ll scclou for 8, and so on, as C1<plaincd earlier.
Resistors R5 co R J2 are each in series with one of !he 7
segmenrs to limit cur..,nt. The values of these r~stnrs can b
moditied.tn some extent, to economise on current, or obtain
full bcight.ne.s.• with no loss of operating life for tl\e numeral.
The numeral is a cootmon anode type, and positive is 'ho
connected to piJU J. 9 •nd 14. With S..me numerals, .n lhese
three pmltlve pin• may not be p rese.fll, or ma)' not be used.
mark shows the top of th" numeral. It can plug in 4 DlL 14
pin hokier,"' used for !Cl.

-O:>mponentr for U::D.N umeraror (Figure 22)

RI 2.2k 2 x 2N3706
R2 33k !Cl 7490N
R3 33k IC2 7447N
R4 lk 8mm common •ood'c LED
R5 to RI 2 270 ob111 •acb Push switch
(see text) - 0. Jin matrix ho;ird
Cl 2µ1'6V I 6 lt 28 hole•
C2 2µF6V 2 x OIL 14 pin holde~
CJ 47nF or 0.05 µF OIL \6 pin holder

Hoard Layout
f i!l'lre 23 sltows layout on top of the ~oard. Thin tinned
copper wire will mo•l easily solder an<! run through the holes
from point to pohu, IL is neeti.•ry to make sm•ll joinI!. 11sin~
a lightweight iron. Wlth 0.1 fn matrix bnard • Jasgu bit wlU tend
lo brklge two adjacent tags, and leave 100 much solder, while
•tout l!JlUge wiro can C•use trouble partlculatly at tht fragile
holder pins.
The multivibrator section may he checked in adv.nee , l>y
taking a 4 .5V or SV .upply to emitters (negative) and ?Ol'itive
line. A rapid pul~e ~h<mld he heard at C2 poi;itivc, using higll·
rc•i•tance phones or .lmilar mearu1 of checking.
 i
' ; D_r111
:...+--
/'
' r:
1
'
I E
J Rr
\:">
tC 1&
• 1
~:
~
t I R.2 I

.: .n
I I :
I

> I •I
Cl C2
> ' :
I
I 6 IS 14 13 12 II 10 9
•
' I
re-< '
I
I '
I
2
• • •
6 7
I'
8 '
I

. I I / I/
~rI
r----+'_!.--
~
I I
•' I

• 1 1:
I
~ • I I
i
r-W I

t , RJ r
' : I I
~
1
1
I I I ·J
. +c::!H • ·> 1 l i- .
,, ; R4 t I
.14 ,/12 II 1J\ \)
~c ; IC I \

' TR2
f I G. 2 3 .
* p
li1 2 3, • s
.....
:
I
f
\ ~71
,! +'
'
'

45
 Rc•isto1s moy be miniature 1/8 watt or simibt components
though 14 watt can be a~-commod~ted. )')cal with the seven
output tags uf 1C2 sy•tern•liC31ly, and no erro1 need arise, £.~
15to2alnumcnl, 14to t i , l3to1, 12to 13, II to 10,lOt
8, and 9 to 7. ~nape cite resistor ends to keep I.hem aw•y from
each other, and if need Ct! place .ieevinj!: 011 th< wires in 3dvl&ll
Wrong connections wm be shown by an Incorrect display of
some nuin~rals or segments.
Noc all th< tags 3, 9 and 14 may be present, Ot be used for
some numerat., as mentioned. The numeral and !Cs must of
c<>u"e be put in their holde rs the right way.
Connect points P to dtC push-•witcb, best located on tor of
the case. This can he a :<hollow hnx, •nd can hold a battery if
this ls to be used. If ro, irrclude an O<J-Off •witcl1 in one battery
lead. Whor~ the AC power •upply is to he employed, fit red
and hlack l•ods, with a non-reversible 2-pia plug, co rake powtr
from the 5V output socket.
Numberi should change rapidly until lhe switch i.s releasctl
one then rcm~iniug displayed.

SCOR~R POR BEZIQU£,.ETC.

Tl1iS forms the ~asls for ocher counting circuits fo1 V•rious
purposos, so operation will be de•cribcd in det•il. Reference
should be made to this section, for 1nulti-numeral Lt:O counien..
When employed for Bezique, the counter is used wleh three
numerals (one perm:memly "'t 10 0, as requited for this game)
and an over·llov1 indicator LED. Cotmting is hy 10s nnd JOOs,
as required, and after nine !Os, !here i• nutomalic carry Co the
IOOs, in the u>ual way. After 990 is reached, a further <core of
10 or higher ligltu the 'IOOO up' LED. This cun indicate the
&•m<: i.s won (tW<> pack.') or may be used to indicate IOOO, to
allow play up w 19'JO (sometimes three packs are used).
Addition •ri<es in the usu•I manner. 'J'h•.rs if."' exampk, 390
hitd already been "'°'ed, and 250 were obtllioed for sequence,
entering 2 Al the 'hundreds' point •tl•ancc< tlte score to.590,
while the S •l the 'Leq$' point would nl<.>Ve t.ltc displa> to 640.

46
 2 II I 13 10 a 1

IS 14 !J 12 11 10 9 I, 13.10. B, 7, 2
IC 3
6 2 I 7 8

12
13 er .s 9
IC~

6 7

RESET C1

-s2

F tG. 2~

Unit• Numernl
As shown in Figure 24th!• 3tays at 0. Six "'g:mems are wired
to 0t0gallvc, and Ute r03i3tor R3 i.S'from common anode lo
posi11ve, SY supply.
Where• counter will require a chang111a numeral for umU,
Olis is operated fco1n JC:3 in the way sltown for.the 'Tens'
numeral. E.g., IC2, JC3 and tlle numeral fonn the first section
of the co11nter, am! will •how 0-9.
Fot the s,a1nc scmer, scores advance by IO•, so no mcan:1 of
changing one numcr..i need be provided.

47
Noisclm Switch
The 1w<> sa1cs <>f fCI, wilh RI, R2 and $1, fon11 the nol<eless
electronic •witolt required to allow advancing the Ten• n111ner
•• necc~•acy. Operation of this type of circuit h described
eulier A simple rnechanical •wl1ch i• very liable to give •·net
wnl.1cts whe11 working (not normally importan1) which w01u1I
change lhe nu1uerJI incorrectly.
Sl i> a spring loaded toggle swltch, for preference, and is sn
wired thaL wheil released the Ten• ~umcral ch.,.ges. To •her
lhe number by one, the switch move' from one contact to the
other then back 10 its ongill>l p<llrition.
Thus for the lle1ique sco1er, to emer 20, press Sl twice,
and so <>n for higher score>.
Output from 1he noiseless switch, at 3, goes to input of the
divider, at 14.

.DMd"'
!C2 dovldcsby 10, givi.ngpulses •t 11, !I, 9, 12 0J1d I, which
pa.<S to IC3, wlitre they are decoded , and light the correct
section:! <>f the numeral
Pmitwe and negative for IC2 are Sand 10. These supply
lines arc often omitted in circuit•, but must of course be
provided ill the octu:sl equipment. CJ is to Sllf'{lrC.s switduog
tran~ientt; 'l-vhicl1 c:i.r1 upset other circuits.
S2 lS normally closed, and the counter then ope rate'
normally. S2 b a push-switch or olher switch " luch an be
me>menlarily orened. It then re~ets tho numeral to 0, and also
resets to 0 any other numerals wntrolled from the same reset
line. When !C2 has opemed IC3 bi such a way lhAt the numerilll
s.h<:>ws 9, the next pul•e received •I 14 of IC2 ch0J1ge1 the
numenl.l to 0 and alse> {tives an output pulse al I I oflC2 .
Where a number of nwncra!J are to be u-1 on~ after anothtf
tG count up to any required total, 11 will carry on·to iitput 14
of the next se..:tioo.
In this game scorer, 11 is taken lu 12 and 13 of a further
gale, in order tlm IOOs may he added manually without
intcrnrpting the carry from IC2 when it Kri•es.

Numeral
A slight <iinplificalion ;, introduced by u$ing a common anode

48
rtsistor R4. and winns lhe setment; d1rec1ly to the decoder
!CJ. This •llows .eveo direct connection• frnm !CJ to tho
ft<U1\Cral. '11ie val\Jc ofR4 which i• cone.:! for two segmeots
(nt1mhcr I) is noL of' course ideal when 11101~ •egments u c
drawing current through the •ame re>irn>1. This results i11 a
slight dimmiog, espccialiy witl1 8.
In u<e, it has been found Iha! with some IY!"S of 7-<e!DTieJll
l)m, the Joss of br\i;Jttf!C.S is not S1tffic1cntly noticeable tO !>e
in BllY W•y troublesome. Hut with ums Qf other manufacture,
th~ loss is rather significant.
If the numeral is wired •S shown, with one resistor, and the
segments dim cxce3sively when several are lllumiuaLcd, tl\en the
resistor R4 should ~removed. Al Uie )Qntc lime, pl.ace a11
ind1viduol resWor in e:iclt of the leads 15 Lo 2, 14 to I I and><•
on, (see Figure 22). Alternatively, te•t lhe I.FD in the
pennanent ;r.ero 1LoJJ.cr frrst. connecting ta~ for variou~ nu1ncral$,
and noting the display bril\f1lnt••. lf wi$11cd, the seven series
mistors may he inserted originall>-, R4 being omitted. This a.ho
apphc• to other numerals ln this anrl similar cnunters.

H1111dn<ds
Hsure ~5 shows the circuit associated with thi•numeral. 'J'he
carry over from I J of JC2 pa.ses to I 2 and 13 of lC4. This
b1verter compe11sa1cs for the presence of tl1e following irtvertcr.
wJW:h receives input at!>, and provide• uutrmt at 8, for 14 of
IC5.
IC5 is the decim~I divider, and IC6 opcnttes the hundrc<I<
numeral in exactly tl1e same manner"' descrtbcd for lhe tens
numeral. The use of R7 alon~. or frtting a rclis(or for eaclt of
the soven segment•, applies here, in the w•y explained.
Input 10 of lC4 1s from the noiseless 3wii.ch oper•tct! hy the
PU•h·butlon or toggle S3
The four gates of 104 are used here. Pos11ive for IC4 ~ al
14, and n0%3ti\'e at 7 Similarly, l('.5 and JC6 have positive and
lle83t1ve applietl lo the lag; <11own.
The reser line carries on to 2 and 3 ofJCS, and could run on
t'o other dividers, if these were fitted for thousands anti olher
numbers. Herc, this circuit i• associated with the 'Thouw11.I
Up' LEO.
l\1ien the hun<jred s numcraJjias 1ead1Cd 9, the nex1 pul>C

49
 HUNC>REl>S ~

101
~
YA7
3,9,14
r
RS

2 II l 13 10 8 7
I

6 5
IS 14 13 12 II !O 9

6
re
2 I
6
7
1
S3
IC..,
l2
II 13
If 8 9
res
6 ?

RESET
7

causes output at 11. Thts could run on lo other dividers.

Figures 24 and 2 5 combined allow counting up to 990, fot
rhc game mentiuned, with 10s by SJ, IOOs by S3, •nd rescuing
to zero by S2.
If the operahnit digit• in these t wo circuits wu• ~<l. th<
coonrcr would read up t n 99.
Where a numeral such as that fo1 hund1eds, Figure 25, is to
foUow one for !Os, Figure 24, and there ls oo need to be ab~
to step forward the hundreds numeral individually, TC4 m•Y
be totally omitted. Then I I of IC2·directly drive< 14 of !CS.
 If the manual advance prmided by S3 wen omi!!ed, • score
of "'Y 100 would mean operating the IOs switch SI ten time..
SJ must be allowed 10 spriHS hock to the posit on whiclo cnahles
th• pulse from IC2 to pass to JCS., or tile hundreds count will
1101 b• automatic. It is thus beu to uie a spring loaded o r
1oggle switch for S3, •s described for SI.
A manulll advance system similar t<.> that fumilllted by IC4
may he used between minute! section and hours'sectimt of a
dock, so that the dltplay can be tapidly ad•anced to show
the correct hour.

()Rrllow
An t>\'C1tlow indicator sltows that the count provided for by
tloe m.tmerals has been reachc<.I or exceeded. Jlcre, it is for
'I 000 up' or continuoyon to 1990 by playing with it IJt.
The m·erflow has to ignore the p<>nth·e going pulse, but
responds to the ne~ative pul!IC, ait<l t.h.ls is done with an Inverter
and $mall silicon controJlcd r•clifiu triggered by a cap•citor
inpvt lu ltS f<"IC.
Pigurc 26 is. the circ11it of !his part of tlte s.:nrer. Output
from 11 nf I<::s swings p~itlve at R, and goes nc~•tive • l the
pulse af1er 9. The drop in collector cunenl mo\•es the capacitor
1
positi•e, and thu• triggers the SCR at Jts gato. The SC:R remains
in 1h;s cootlition until the cathode drcuit is interrupted when
re!lettlng the numerals. Thi• also ukes place "'hen imtlally
re>etting. As a resul!, the LED remain• lit un1il anotlter ,;core
is to be.storled from 1.ero. (Tiie opcrati.on of this IYpt! of
device is covered in book number 8 P37 50 Proje<:l• l1611tg
Relays SCR's and TRIAC's by Benianl Baba.tu (publishing) l td.).

Comnw:tlon
Figure 27 is a suitahle la~uut giving ""'Pk space, U8ing a board
3 1 x 34 holes. • Wiring around !CJ for 1h• noiseless switch i'
(duplicated "' IC4) Jt..s been shown 111 Figure 20. Wiring for
1C2. T\.3 and this numeral ¢an be seen from Figure 23 (refer to
tllc previou• note regarding series roslstors). This is duplicated
for lC5, IC6 and ils numeral.
Tt is cunvenicnt lo wire pusilive ·nut, with rhin red sleeving
on lealh. \.!1icl1 .:an run along the top uf the bo.uil •ho~ !he
/Jif)s. One negative, for 6, 7 and other returns, can run alonr,

51
 +

2NS061 Sell Rll

Q
/>, G C +
R9
K G
{;)A
A
SO V SCR

C2

e
E C !!

2N3706
RB
II

RIO
~s
•c
BCI09

RESET

F IG . 26.

near t/le bouum nf the board. Keep 2, 3 of !C2 and IC5

separate, fur the 1cse1 line.
Bling out thin lkxihle !calls for tJ1e switches, remembe1 m~
trult SJ nnd S3 iuu•I ~·connected Jn ll•c manner explained.
Two units will he required, and shallow boxes can have twin
le•us tn run from• common power supply. Switches shouJJ be
so arran~ tltat they a~ ea<ily operated witl• one hand. The
numerals car1 come behind individual apertur~. or heh.ind a
single opening, c<>vercJ v,ith uansparem material and liaving a

52
 • • o o 0 • • .. I ' • o o • .... • ..... •
----
0 0 o o o '
··---~
• • o • ' • ' •

'o
.,
1~ ~- , 1""::·'1 .:
~,J L:.;_,_,_J
:

E] [::J Fl:
"---W

l-..... . . . . . , . .. : . . .~ •.c.
;
~7•• • •••• •••
I .
:j
r black paper mask tu suit.
Faults ~re not very lihl1·. If they ari•e. tl1ey can be easily
,, loe~ised. An inconcct 7.ero will h• lrom wrong connections
I here. Wrong tens displays, wurked by SJ, are most likely
C•used by emm between IC2 and IC:3, or beLwccn IC3 and
the LED numeral. ff no advance ari ..s witlt operation of SI ,
Su•pcct JCt circulls. Similarly, if 1hc hundreds advance after 90,
~ hut nol when S3 is used, •u•pect ,.,;ring aroun!.11hese two gates
of!C4. If the count goes ahead correctly willt I I of!C2 taken
I directly to 14 of ICS. the11 IC4 circuits are suspected. Failure o f
• the U:U 10 lighl •I 1000 after resetting and couniing froin
1 >..cro would suggest an error in the tranioistor-SC!l sect.ion.

53
Comptmems fur Scorer for Bezique, l!:tc. ( Fiwrcs 24. 25, 26)
(Re$lstors l4W5%)
RJ, R2, R5, RC, Jk 10:1cr. 7447 N
R3 220obm 1off14 pin Oil, holden
R4, R7 J~Oolun 2 <>ff 16 pin nIL holders
R8, RIO !Ok 3 off cunm1on anode LEO
R9 3.9k nun1cral~
Cl 47nF SI, S3 Single polu charigu ov
C2 O.l µF spring lnadcd swilclle&
2N3706 or 6CJ09 S2 Push lo bre•k swi Ith
2N5061 SCR or 50V SCR um indicator
re I , IC4 7400N O. lin ma1rix l:ioard.
1C2, ICS 7490N

MULTI-DIGIT COUNTER
A.I <'Plainud, this is deri~cd from lhe earliec circuit, and. i•
adapted for later units. Some <lfthcse will require• decimal
poiut.
Figure 28 shows fot1r digits, for up to 999~ (or 9~9.9, or
99.99 etc.). Each digit bas jts BCD ur bh1ory coded decirnal
decade counter, with uul puts tu it; own OD ur decoder drl>tr,

DD

BCD

FIG . ::18.

54
 wluch In rum operates the 7-segmettl um numeral.
Input is to 14 of the first BCD. Output from 11 of this
BCD provides input to 14 of the tens BCD. .In t"um, this BCD
pmvi<les output at 11 for input al l 4 (If the hundtetls BCO,
which from l l similorly drives the final or thousands BCO •l
I~ .
For a 2-digit counter , two BCO., Dl)s and their nuu~ral•
"'ill be omitted. ln th~ 'ame way, omil!mg ono>.BCD, lhe 1)1;)
and numeral, gives a 3-digit counter. A S·di&it or 6-digit.
counter is made hy adding (lne or two further .BCD, DO and
~ nuinecal circuits.
All poi.lti\'e anti negnti\'t circuits are commotl, as shown
( ead.ier. Where numeraJs are to be reset lo 1oro, the related
BCD 1av,s 2 and 3 arc t•kcn to uegati•e thrOU8h a switch winch
CaJl be momentaril)' opened co achieve tlw.. A common re.et
line and switcti can cMtrC>l all the B(:Ds and their ·digits in this
Wa}'•
Fur a decimal point, a Jk ~ries limiting mistor can be used,
col•~ 6. Sliuuld a common anode rc•;fator be used for the seven
~JOI segments, the value can be =de " P II)' placing a re:mtl)r of
aboul 820 ohm between 6 and nct.alh-. lor the point only.

Mulri·Ditit Omnter Componem.< f Figure 28}

Each Digit: 74901'i, 7447N, comm(lll an<>dC lliD, 14 pin .& 16
pin Dll,holders, 7 off 270 <>hin resi,tors.
Ahn · Board (O. l in mntrjx), 47nF capacitor.

!OX lllVWERS
ln mme circuit.& it m•)' be necessoiy to divide •count, without
a dlspllly. Figure 29 $11ow1 two IOX dMdcr., providing IOOX.
Ooo 7490 11scd in this way would provide JOX.
If one decimal divider is placed before the 4-tit<ure counter,
the latter will count up to 99,999 but with four signiflUJ.ll
Gl)Jre$. Jn the same way, two dividers as 1rt Figure 2'J extend
the count to 999,!l!l!I, but a~in with 011Jy four si~nificant
fil!llres. The four •i!!-ni flcaut figures may he adequale, dependin8,
on tile purpose iu vie\v,
One or more odditlonal dividecs of this kind, without
dl$plays. may be switch~d into use with vun<>us cireuiu. A$

SS
 +JOO +

,,.

I
1 F I G.29.

example, a process tirne1 with three numerals could indicate up

to \1.99 !11!<Xlnds; or up to 99.9 3econds; or up te> 999 seconds.
With tit• lc>11gec times, the absence of o!IC•ICnth or Otl(·
h11ndredth figures could be quite acc•pt•ble, dependin{'. on the
purpo••·

DIGITAL STOP-CLOCK
Tlus siop.<:loc::l: or stop-watch u.'le<I with a three numeral di8pla;.
,.UJ gi•e iodicaooos to on!Henth of a ..cond up to 99.9
'°°°nd1, or to one second up to 999 ~econds. There are two
ronse• • ..,Jected by a switch, acrordin$ to the purpose and
length of timing required.
The digital indicating section conslm of• 3-dJgit counter,
constructed as .!ready described. Each digit will employ its
own dlvidor, driver, and numet•I. •nd foll details will be found
in the circuits given. Two disits will give a u.cfuJ display of up
to Q. 9 or 99 .cconds.
The tlming and range-selection circuit is shown in Figure 30.
IC l t! the timer, with periodicity $IOI by VR !. When SJ iHk>sed.
puloes ore obtained from 3 of tCI . SI is the ....itcll wbiclt is
operated to time e\<ents and opened v."1on the event ends.
leaviJIR the interval shown by the counter.
l'ulsesfrom !CJ are JO per sccund. When therauge switch

56
+ ! .., 1f
0
..,
~
"'
\:/ ,..
:! "'

...
a:
. , .. ...~ ... l.
"'"'

N
... "' u

~
"'
·!./
"',.. ... ..,.
"'
~o~
,..<> N

"' - -
a:
>
"' "'er

57
S2 is u 1hown, the•e gC> directly to the first divider of the
counter, so that 1.he first numeral operates at 0.1 <ec<>nd intervals
At the same time, RS compldtCs the circuit Lo Tag 6, so Lhat
the dccimat point '"mnminatcd. The DL'{llay will thus be up
lo 9.9 with the 2-dl~t display, or up to 99.9 with the 3-digit
di•play.
When S2 is moved tn the other range, pul<es from 3 of ICJ
~to lite additional dividet IC2, hef01e po<«ing to the counter.
At the same time RS and the decimal pnint. cease Lo be c<>nnccted
The display then read• ur to 99 or 999.
The di•play with tenth-second included i• •ppropii>te fot
va1iuus Comp<'t;uve and other events. Thi•, however, i>1l0t
needed for photo~aphic de"eloping, and vari()us nther purpmes.
So the range can be S<llected as required, and be~t use made or
the numerals which ~re provided.
With RI at 47k and VR J 12k, !M currect selling arose with
about une-halfVRl in circuit. lfowever, tlris depends on C:I.
VRI ;, adju~ted with Sl closed, 11ntil with IC2 in circuit the
counter shows 60 each minute. If the supply is not well by-
pa,..e<I place a 100 µf' cap>.eitor frorn P"'irive to negative on
the board.
A de~ree of accuracy sufficient for many purpose• can be
obtained ln this way. Where crltic.J accuracy i' required, the
Q11ar1i Stoi>-Gock described latct may be aJopted. The
method iri F~urc 30 u: easily 11Ceurate enouVi for numerous
U>'C•. C:! may be a 2.2 µF tantalum or 2 µF paper c•pacitor.

Comµm1enr3 for Digitol Stup-Clock (Figure 30}

(Reil<tnrs 5% %\Y)
RI 47k C3 47nF
R2 2.2k IC! SSS
R3 JOOk IC2 7490
R4 !Sk 11-i>in DIL hnlder
RS lk 14-pin Dll. holder
VR I 22k or 25k linear SI On·off •witch
pot S2 2-11ole 2-way 1w;1ch
Cl 2 µF 16V llmrd
·C2 IOnF C:o11nler as dcscnbed

58
 Roani AJSembly
A hoanl 14 x 15 holes will accommodate tlte componenn,
~1gure 31. ..\ucho1 point• and crnss-ovcrs can be arranged hy
using hole• •ml runnlnR leads above and below lite boar~.
figure 31 shows the JC, fwm above.
SI ls mounted on the case, and also VR t, which can b..
adjusted v.~tb • 1C10W<lrlver. For convenitnl timing of ol\ort
imcrnls as aecu1ately as po<Sihle, a lwin socket may be Oiied
in parallel with SI, am! a flexible lead with p11sh-switch to hC'l)d
in the hand can be plugged in here. S 1 then being left open.
S2 ls situat•d at nny co11vc11ient position, and can he of the
2·way •lid• type. Take ii. centr•l ta~ of one pole to 3 on !Cl ,
and outertags tu 11 •nd 14 cir~uirs of lC2. Solder RS to 1he
<>thtt pole, using the llJll which illumiu1te'< the decimal point
when IC2 is not in use. The £if1't numeral of !he counter then
changes ten times a second. IUumination of the poinl •hows
'Yhon tlu• ran&• is in use.

• ~Rt ~--...--..--------
' '
: df~R2
' .
o• RJ '"s 1
• f ,
•
I ....
- ..
:
--~ -~
, .... ~ . .# --t
8 I 5 '' ••'
• I
IC r 'c 2
1
•' :
•
• I ' 4
• I
• ... 's2 I
14

• ~52 .

•
Cl
- ------- --14
52
..
•
•
• • • • • • • • • • •
~ll...

59
 CJ should be a good qlllllity comp0nent. Rotation of VR I
for best ti1ning ;, least critical when mnst of the required
ttsistance is made u p by RI. and it is in o rder to use a tower
vitlue for VRJ, and to increase JU (or •du other resiStor~ i n
m ies) if required.
Take positive and negative to t he common 5V su pply lines
of the counter, and a lead to 14 of the first diooer in the
coun1er.

QUARTZ STOP.CLOCK
For ~riticitl time keeping, the 55 5 adjustable timer can be
replaced by a crystsl con tro lled oscillator. This generally
operates al a high frequency, and Is followed by a number of
dividers.
As example, it may run at I MHz. That is, 1.000,000 cycles
per second. lntel\(ated circuits, each p roviding division hy 10,
would progressively reduce this to JOOkHz, !Okllz. i'kH7. or
JOOOH7., lOOIJ,, JOH1 and Ill<, or one pulse per 3•cond.
In lhe cry•tal cnntroUe<I time r hore, a 100kH7. crystal i•
used. f our d ividers reduce this to 10 pulses per second . nus
then replaces the pulses from the SSS limer. so that the J'int
numeral of the co11nter can run al 0.1 second or I second
Jnter\'ah, according to the range selected by S2, t>UOctly u with
lhe 555 timer.
Thus the frequencies in die cry's tal cont rolled oscillator to
replace the 555 are lOOkltt, l~Hz, lkll:L, IOOHT. and IOHz,
while the optional divider shown 111 associ:ition with the
original 555 ca.1 be in use when output at I second intemtls is
wonted.
figure 32 is rhe circuit, Tr 1 beillg the crystal contrulled
nscillator, with ~a,. bias by RI , and R2 as colkctor load. Cl
and C2 are part of rhe O•cillator circuit. Trimme r Tl, In series
with the Clll$tal, 11llow• • .,..19 slight shifting of frequooc)'. By
thi< means it is pO«ihle, if wished, tn set the c.ystal by an
external frequency standard, •uch os that o btained by reception
o f 200klfa b roadcasts, or 2.SMHz or other Slanuard frequency
!ra~mission•. Thi~ Is de.it with fully in details of the radio
frequency h am 1onJc marker.
The •tandard of accuucy may be considered much hJgher

60
 !!
t+ ~
=

~ti
~

' VI
C'
.
ptt-1

.
a:

N
.. ~ ~-~'--111-'w:;...~
I,;;,
.."

l 61
thllll neC<!s.sary, with a crystal intended for 30pF $Cries
c:1pac11Ance, md a 30pl' fi«d c•~ilor in place of Tl.
Ho .. ever, it i• q uite usual to fit TI in •uch equipment.. allowinl\
fine 1dju$tme11L Titis is only• matter of a few hertz in lOOklk
Tr2 ls a buffcr·•mplifier. !Cl to IC4 a~ divider$, all u.ed in
the same way. Output from 11 of IOI wtll go either to 14 of
the counter, or 14 ofIC2 in Figure 30 via S2, for rhe two ran~es,
as already described for the SSS timer.
Clo.,ing S I starts riming, as wi!J'i Sl for rh.e SSS timer. fC2
of Pl8ure 30 may be included on elU1cr board.

Oimp<:>ncnts for QUJJ.rtz Tim°' ( F.igure 32)

(Res1>1or. 5% 141'11
RI 1.5 me~hm Tel, Tr22N.3706
R2 2.2k Tl 60pF trimmer
R3 220k XTAL JOOkHz cry$tal for
R4 2.7k 30pf $erics re•onan.ce
Cl 330pF silver mica IC! to JC4 7490
C2 800pf •ilver mica .Cry•tal holder
C3 IOnf' 4 off 14 pio OIL holders
C4 0.1 µF Sl. bo;ird 40 x 16 holes, ctc.
C5 100 µI' 6V S2, JC2, RS ere, fig. 30

Tin1er CoJUtructiori
CompMents on top of <M circuit board a re mown in Flgurc 33.
Drill holes to take the c ry•t•I hC>lder ~ts; and Tl. The
posith·e and ucgath·e line.• can be 22 'WI 'I.ire, 1un along under
the board. Thinner wire will be more convenient fot lead$ from
lh.i1 to tho IC•. Connection are similar throughout, and can be
cllccked again<t Figure 32. It may be found ea$ier to do a
parlicular circuit for all JC$ at the s3me time. As example, 2, .3,
6, 7 and I 0 to negative on all I Cs. Then I to 12 with all !Cs,
and so on.
Solder on red and black flexible leads for the SV supply lines
at CS. Bring a simil:u lead up fzom 11 of IC4, to form the ranie
selector SW1lch connection. Th.ill Oe.xiblt leads run from SJ
points to this switch, descaow Ut i>:ference to the SSS timer.
A' ~ntioned, with Tl set lo ®out half capacitance. a very
high degree of accuracy should be obtained, and can be checked
by o])servlns the counter. Adjustment of Tl to obtain faster or

62
 + "'
u
I

I
l
l
/
~ ....' :! I
I
I

\
I
\
I
I

I 63
sluwer tonnirtg ha1 • very small effect, and can be c~rr!ed out
as expltiined for the harn1onic marker for pr•ci•iQn tadio·
frequency purpo•ea.

Second•·minutC$ Stop-clock
The nµmerals have been shown '"".ding up to 99, ur 999 with a
3-numer•I display. This provides for the loiigesL interval with
a gj""n number of di~ts, and is con..,,nient for readnlJ? up to
9.9 ;cconds or9') .9 seconds. \\11ere sul>stantially longer intemls
than 60 seconds will be timed, It fa generally more convenient
to modify the circuit to indicate •econJs and minute._ Thus a
readiug or 90.S sc<."n<U, as <x•mple, would read ... I minute
30.5 seconds.
This requites two numerals running up to 60, before a poise
is: pass~t.I. to the next digit. and conaecliu11s are shu,vn in
Fi&urc 34. IC! i.s the 7490, providing input for iu decoder
IC2. which is <.'Onne~Ced tn the 7-segment J.£1) (with scrie•
re•istors) as indicated. This section runs fru m 0-9 nurmally.
JC.) is a 7492, and its output passes tu tile 7447 decoder IC4 .

2 ll I 13 10 e 7 2111131087'
" •
l5 14 13 12 II 10 9 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 16
IC 4 + IC 2 +
8 8
2 I 7 b 2 7

9 JI 12 I
5
... It 8 9 12 I
5
...
•c 3 14 IC 14
67 2 3

.60 "
_js•
FIG .jl4.

('4
and lo segmellts of lhe IJiD numer.;il (with limiting tCSiShlrt,.
Connected in W• way, IC3 and its numeral display up Lu 5,
and when the numeral operated by rc2 receives a count aftet
9, the combined display ufbotl1 numerals of 5!> tC•erts to 00
and a pulse passes frum 9 of IC3 .
lnrut is tu 14 of TC !. WiLh pulses at I secnnd intecvals., ICI
and IC3 count up tu 60 (00) in one minute, then pco>iding
the nutl'llt pulse at 9 nf TC3. This output pulse can p..s to
another similar co1•nte1, which " ill register up to 60 (00)
nl.inute~.
Jn nrder to indicate parts of a second, one divider with its
numeral will be required before IC I in Fliure 34 for 0.1
·second inlcrvals; or two such dividers and numerals, for'0.01
second intc~.. The "'"Y in which these are ammged aud
connected has beOJI sltuwn.
S I i• the reset •witch, closed tu cnunt, ret.uruing the display
!o 00, and lhis operates at 6 and 7 of Lhe 7492. Positive
circuits are made throughom to the 5V liue, iu the usual ma.oner.
Four uumerah can provide readings up L<> 9 minutes 59 .9
second•, with five numerals gl'in& up tu 59 minutes 59 9
8eCQnll$ or 9 minut,q 59.99 seconds according to the range
v. anted.
1

M!nute~hour.; Sto11·dock
The circuits shown alluw timing up to 59 minutes 59 seconds.
1ne next pulse will ch.ilnge the 59 second 1CJ1din~ to 00, uod
pas.s a pulse to the 59 minute digit~ "hlch "ill tMn read 00.
At tl\e snnie time, a pul•• is ava11al>le from the minutes section.
This may go tu an ov~rflow indicolor, whleh will mow lhat I
hnur ha>elapsed, and subscquen1 minute• and .1econils readings
will he odditional to thi<.
It rnay be neccs.,ary to operate an hour counter, rroviding
oM pulse input for this each hour, frorn the minul es scchun
The simplest hours ludicator is a sinl!IC numeral, reading up lo
9, tltus allo.,,.;ng timing m 9 hours 59 minntes (plus seconds
where fitted}.
Alternntively, Lwn numerals may ht used, rc•<ling up 10
24 hnurs. (Aclual indica!ion is to 2:1:59, returning to 00.00
at the hour). Tho circuit fo r this is •hown lu Fi~ure 35.
ICJ and IC3.are 7490s. IC2 and IC4 are the decoder-

65
 2 II I IJ 10 8 7 2111131057
I
IS 14 13 12 II 10 9
. 16
IC 2
C> 2 a-

\) 12 t II 8 9
re 3 IC
2 3 71

ICS 7
r
14

drivers for the 7-vesment numerals. Counting musl be so

arranged that tho units numeral runs to 9 when tho tens muneral
Is al 0 •nd I , but only to 3 wilh tho tens numeral al 2, with
1he whole hours dlspl&)' returning to()() at 24. lnptlt tu IC I
is I pulse per h<Jur, from the minutes section, as d~bed
Th ree ·NAN!) 1\3tts in the 7400 JCS fl!C used to arron~e the
count, and allow resetling hours to 00 by the •wtich. This is
uonnally closed, $0 that 9 and JO inputs are low, output at 8
thu• being high. \l-11en the switch h opened, 9 aml 10 go high,
and 8 low,~ 2 ii low, and 3 high. The l•lter point control!

66
 h<>lh rc""t pnints of the TCs, rhu• opcnine the reset line anJ
setting the numerals at 00.
The reset <..i tch is necessary to set the hours when beginning
to lime an inlen·al, and may be incorporoted \Vith themillutcs
and sc~ndsresct switch, when fitted .
When hnu" are being counted, input• at 4 and $ all<>w 6 lo go
low and 3 hJglt to reset automatically at 24 hours. This results
front comhining the outputs of IC I and IC3 as shown.
Other parts of this section follow detaUs given earlier. Th•
numerals may l1ave individual segment rc$istm•, or run with a
single re•i>tnr each, as explained, when this is satisfaccor)'.
Thus lhe srop-clock {or clocl\) can have 4 numends for hours
and mmu1cs, or 6 numerals to include ><cond1t. Where 4
numerals art considered adequate fo r the tuning purposes in
.;.,....., the section 10 divide by 60 must of course be present,
1hou!fl1 no decoder-drivers and numeral• are necessary. ll will
thu• cumi•t only of two !Cs - the 7490 onn 7492 willt 1
.ccond pt1lses in at 14, output from 1 l of the ·7490 lo 14 of
7492, 8Jtd output from 9 of the 7492 •l I minute intervals for.
tlte miuutc section of the clock. Join I and 12 of each IC,
ILS i;hown for the circuit which includes the decoder.drivers.
Aho provide po•itive and ground or .ncg•live "'"'hown.

RESPONSE TIME INDICATOR

Till6 will show• compeUtor's n.-sponse tim.e, in 0.01 sea.ml
interval<, to 9.99 seconds. I t is .!m!lar to a 'dri\·ing te•t' device
whiclt •how• the delay between the rrescnc•tion of a ha7.ard, and
the 'driver's' application of the footbr.al<e. Numerous other
l••I• can be arranged along similar lines, such as threading a
needle, placin~ pea.< in a •maU bottle, turning cards or coins up
and in s~qucnce, fetching an object. or completing• >hurt
obstade coune.
Figure 3<• shows the circuit. Tnc counter i• 3-digit, with
decimal for 9.99, and rum from the crystal n.tcillaror described,
with d!YJSIOtl for one-hundred pulses per ..,cond input to the
fint numeral. An adjustable pulser ec>uld be used to simplify
the circuit, 11< """!'racy then depending nn correct set ling of
thi$.
SJA is nnnnally open, so thal digits remain l l •crn. Sill is

I 67
 I
...
52
De=~ ~=~
'I CLOC~ r Fl=
og=~
=
~=~
=
LAMP OR BELL

rr
Rf SET

SIA '/
Sl6L~
FI G .36. l . T- •

the second· pole of lhis switch. The use of s second pole allows
any. lamp, buzzer or hell to be operated, fm111 a stlppl} of
suitable volcage. Switch S2 is normally dosed.
When SIA/B ii unexpectedly closed by the 'tester' the
indicating device operates, aod the counter begins to (egister.
The competitor must then open S2 as rapidly as poS3!bie, leaving
!he interval showr1 II>' the 1111o.iuals.
. A push switch, opening when pressed, is mo•t suitable for
S2, as this will then remain closed wheu relea.ed.
For pnu.l~s. games ot task.$ taking longer, the timing can be
extended to 99.9 seconds by fitting a 1·pQle 2-way switch. One
E>nle transfer; the dreuit to move the decimal point to the right,
and 1h• other intruduces one further 74\10 divider.

SOUND INlnATl:iDTIMER
This may be u•ed with •ny timer, but one showing minutes
and seconds, with froctions, running from th• crystal controlled
oscilfator, would be most sult<1hl•. Timing begins when a :iouod
of •nouJh illtensit)' arises, and will nonnally be initiated by a
blank ftru1g Startin~ pistol.
Timc1 circui.ts to operate the n~merals have been shov.~1.
Figure 37 is additional to thi• part of the equipment, and
slarh timing by autom•ticilly cloomg the re<et line.
A small 60mm speaker of abuut 15 ohJll impedance acts as
lhc $0und recept()(, and is coupled lo the first amplifier Tr I
by the capacitor Cl. Rl provides b ....., current here: Amplified
signals arise ll<:mss R2, .nod go lo Tr2 vi• C2. Rectification by
diode DI moves the base ofTr2 uegaLivc. This is a PNP
tran&istor, so collector current through VRI rises, moving the
g•te of SCR I positive. Titis trigger< rhe illlcon controlled
re.:tifier into conduceion, am! it ren1aiM in thi' sl.~te so that
lhe timer continues to operate.
YR! alluw• adjustment of scmitMty, and this must not.be
too hitlh, elf other sounds can trigger rhe SCR and nan the
lln.er P"4ition the microphone (sp«lker unit) f•cing the
firing lnc:anon, with senoitivity to give reliahle working.
The Lf.O and series resistor acl .s an 'on' indicalbr and
pasi current to hold the SCR in conduction.

'
STOP
.. + l
I
c~ocx l------__,.__o_o_._o~o-

Al

VRr SCRI K

Kr.:f
'\J/4
r!G. 37.

69
 !falling of the timer can be by any of the method• shown,
and not resulting in altetations to the count d~ to imperfect
comae! ot other defects. lnt•nuptonn t n the countillg chain
is sau.r1ctnry pnmded it i~ at a Point of 4uite hl8h frequCnc)'.
On the other hand, interruption by a slid• •witch, at the c<:1unter
input, woul<l usualli• re<ult in a random jerk ahead of st\'Cral
figure», due to the imperfect contact rle1<:ribc<l cl•ewhere. An
elect!MIC 1roiselcss •witch, ""'h as 1hown, may also be adopl«l
to •lop the count with its display remuilting illuminated.

Components for Sound !11ilit11ed Time> (Figure 37)

(Resistors .S% '4W)
RI 1.8 mcguhm Cl 100011F
R2 4.7lc Tri 2N3706
R3 270ohm Tr2 2K3702
R4 lk DI OA90 elc.
YRI 500 ohm ( 470 o.tun SCRI .SOY IA or
suitable) similar tyre
Cl O.S µFor 0.47 µF 2*1n orsimilar
C2 0.5 ilf or 0.4 7 µF 75 ·80 ohm speaker.

LIGl:IT OPERATED COUNTERS

A coumcr operated by interrupli-011 ur • light beam has
numcroo• applications. TI1e circuit in Figure 3R is so arta.aged
that tile counter ad\'an.."CS by I uch time light is shielded from
the Ugl\t dependent rC10istor.
Tlte1WR lm a typic•l resislonet of some lk to 3k or •o
when lit, am! IOOk or more when nOL illuminated. \\1ten light
fall• unit and its resistance is low, iL hold• the base of Tri
negative, so that collector current 1, negligible, The voltage
dwp In R2 is small, and input t9 14 of the counter is high.
When the light path is intezn1pted, the LDR resistance ri.es
to a high vttlue, and base current via R.J and YR I cau"
coll<ctor current to flow through R2. so that point 14 mo,·es
n•!Jltlve, ad,ancin.~ the count. The e<>unt is not further
od"anud by restoring light to the LOR. YR! allows adjud·
ment of scn<itivity, and R I is to avoid darn~e to Tr I by
ca.n:lc:si: adjui:t1nent.
Tri Fl~vre 39 the circuiJ i• •n nl'ranged that tJ1e counter

7d
 +

A2
t-~~~~~~~ 1 4 ON
COUNT EA
TR I
2Nl70 4
E C 6
e FI G. 38 .

ad1111nces 1 each time the LDR i• iUvmlnated. Here,

when the LDR is not lit, it~ resistance ii high, so VRI m•rntains
the b••• Mgath·e. When light falls on lhe I.DR, its re•istance
fall$, providing b•.., current, ro that volta~ drop in RI moves
14of1hc counter nega1ive. Nole that in thi• case tJ1c counter
advonces wllen light reaches the WR, hut the c.:.uo1 doe' not

LDR Al

14

TR I
21'13704
VRI

I" I G.39.

l 71
ad•ancc wh•n illumination fails.
For the."' cireuil$ the ORPI 2 or similar LOR wUI be suitable
with 211:3704, 2N3706 or DCHJ<J for Tr I. In Mg\<!~ 38 RI is
33k and VRI I m~hm lineor, with J.8k f<ir R2. In Figu.e 39
VRI is a 470k linear potentk>mtter, and RI l .8k.
ln each ca$e a higll resistance vollrncter may be clipped
from Tri collector to negative lino, lllld VR I adjnsted untd
suitable high •nd low reading,' are <>l:>tni.ned with the
iUumbralion which will be present.

Ymons Counter
Thi• will show how many ti1UC• a ll$l•l beam across a doorway
h:ls been Interrupted, and may be used where this gives acce»
lo. demOflirtra!ioo, sepautc jlllrt of. mop, etc. Operation
is lust critical ..1tcre gener:al illuminatlOfl of the 1..1)}{ is
fairly subdued.
Flt !he LDR in • tube, with the c<>unter, one side the door·
W&)', and directly OPi"OSite have a ~moll, low· powered spot-
llf!ht, or slmila1 means of illumination directed at the WR.
With VRI suitahly adjusted, the counter will •dvance by I
every llme an opaque object cornes betwe~n light sour.Ce and
WR. Avoid any •et ting which results In the counter
respC)ndlng to flickering uf the lisJ!t at mains frequency.
A .~numeral dtcim:il type counte1 will rcgiucr up lo 999.
and a manu3l reset switch v.•ill allow rClutning this to zero as
- 3 C y Placing ooe dcdm:al dlYtder. without numeral.
before the counter will allow counting up to 9990, with display
to lhe previous ten .

Revnh•tion Couuko"
fllr~t interruption uf the llg}lt beam by a rotating parl is
somc!lmcs possible. 111e beam may pa$S through the holes of
a Lnhe foccplale, spoke ~paces of a flywheel, or something of
this kind. A •mall ligllt on a flexible cord, wilh tube to direct
the beom. will be convenient Needless tu say, care is exercW.d
to k••P clear of mo'1ng machinery.
The l\nal count will be dt•id<'<ibv the number of
interruptions per rc•·vlul!on -· as uamplc, six, for a f>.spokcd
wheel. Where tht tcsl will often be niode <>n one machine, m
with one similar set of conditio•l!, an extra IC (to JiviJc by 6

72
 o r ., requlred) may be placed bctwCtn Tri •nd the counter.
Fut RPM In the simpl..t manner, employ• watc11 .,;,h
"""'nd' hand, and a noiseleu switching i;y<tem, operated by a
push 9ulton, which cm be held down for I minute. This gi•es
easily cnoug)1 accuracy for most such purpmes. fl also allows
expan!lon of the reading, by timing, as e)(Rrnple, for 30 seconds
only, ind <louhling the count to o btain RPM.
For automatic counting, a timing gate Is used . Thi• opens
for one minute (or ge11erally such shorter in terval as may be
selected) and thus Ute counter regh ters for a kriown period .
from which the RPM may be derived . .Such a method becomes
e.,ential for very brief timing iatervalJ, nnd will be found in
th• section on frequency counleis.
Where hglll C\nnot be directed lhrou!/1 •rotating whe<:I,
the same result may be obtained by rellectlon from m area
of white paint on the rim of the wheel, or some other con-
•·cnicnt p<>inl The light must then be directed only at th.is,
and the IJ)R is shielded by a tuhe •O that only 'etkctcd light
;, p icked up. J( the whole surface reflects, paint an area •natt
black.

6-0igit Frequency Cou111er

A frequency counter can best be assembkd u a number of
uniu, whicf\ may be tested separaccly. Thi< avoids having
completed 1he imtrument, aod pombly h>ving son~ obscure
fault whlc:ll oould be difficult to locate. It may be divit!cd
into the following section, as a matter of convenience in
conlitructic)n
6·Digi1 Co11111er. Thi• will allow cou11tiu~ up 10 999,999, and
with a cent rol decimal point and kllL operut!on, allows reading
auilio frequencies and r.il.io frequencies over a usc(ul range.
frequencies will be shown directly. Titus 000.050 will be
50 hertz, 000.862 is 862 hertz, 001.500 is 1500 hem, or
I .Skfu, wot! M> Qn, up to foil capacity. Frequency coverage
can be ..tended by moviltg the point or changing the uugi:
by• multiplier, for ftequeru:ics h igher than 999.9k11'. A I.ED
numcrol ctounte: is.indi<:•lcd, but where a countei hos been
made with NtKie or other numerals, thi• wtll O?erate in the
san1c way

l 73
 CWck. This cnntwls the gating interval. Thus, if the interval
is I .ecun<I, pulses are counted for this pcriud. AS e xample, 1f
the C-Ounler section registers 0 13.000, during I seccnd, the
frequency is 1JlcHz, or 13,0UO bertt or cycles per s•cond.
Oth•r ranges may he ohtained by ~hanging the gating intcn ·• l.
lf this were reduced to one-tcnlh of a second, onl)· 1300
pubo• would be counttd. So the range ha• in effect been
multiplied by l O. ff the gate ;, open for longer or.hotter
intervals, the number of pulses counted will he greater or
smaller. A correct interval is thu$ necessary , and this is
ohtained by u~ng a cry~tal contcC>Ucd <»cillator ot clock.
Gare & Rciet. The gate is opened and closed by a dual J K
• fli p-flop, so arranged that one pulse rriUCT! it open, and th e
next pulse trij!gers ii clokd. The inpul .;gnal, whicli u tu he
countod. can thus pass lo th_e cuwiter section for I =nd.
'Inc counter ha. to be reset to z.cro after each display, or
the counts would add one to lillOther. Tilis is arranged by
opening the reset line then closing It bofore lhe count begins.
111ese method• of working pro vide a re!IO!ution which will
normally b•.accurate to l Jigit .
Amplifier and Shaping. Tu allow vartous inputs to be Jcalt·with,
an input amplifier is usually incorpocateJ. This raises lhe
;ignal lc•cl• of low-level inp\lts so tlla l ihcy are ahle to operate
the cuuntor. V.'hen a fairly hiJ:b dU!!Jee of amplification is
pruVlded some meaits of a ttenuat ing strong inpuu is usual, or
bannonlc am! other features of the Input may add \o the count.
These CCO'• lo !>e recorded as the input is attenuated.

01unter Se<:tion
Figuic 40 is• block diagram of this. h will require •ix LEO
numerub with holders, sL~ 7447 decoder-driver. with holders,
and six 7490 decirnal divider-. with holders.
Connections from the 7490 to the 7447, and from 7447 lo
the numeral, have been shown In earUcr circuils. Each 7490
receives inpot at 14. f .acll 7490 (except for the last numero)
provides output at 1 1 for the next d ivider.
F.ach 74 90 hai; 6 , 7 and to grounded t o negative. At c""h
74?0 2 ""d 3 are connected 1ogether, and lo 2 and 3 of the next
7490. Thi• is the reset line. cummuu tn all •ix dividers. The

74
 ...::> ...w I
+ ... ...:!: "'a:"'
z "'
"'a
..l3
::i "'

....
..J

==01- -
..... LO - t-- - t
= .I ' I
t
,___
i-
co f--
"'
..__
"'

·- 0==
0 0 ~

"' - "'
----
==
--c•
..
0
-
....
.._ = = ..
O=O
=°f- ,___ .. l
>--- .

·- ro=o
= =.
- "' ..__ "'
.., l
..._ = = oL.
a:
....
0 .. ..__ ~"' ..,
l!:
- 6.,
B
=°= l 0
:.:
0
>
5 "...-

"15
counter opetalC> when this line u sw11ched to negati,·t With
this switch open, all numerals i.ndiA:•t• rero.
The decimal 'point of the third numeral is permanently lit
(pin 6) by current fcom a 4 70 ohm resi$tor. Positive a~d other
supplie• for the 11umerals and !Cs are arranged in the way
previously cxplalned.
Ths section is comtructed 011 0.1 In matrix board, a.nd needs
only f0\1r external connecting pouus. These can be culnur-
cnded flying le•dS. or pin• on tl•c !>ourd. They are posUJvo,
11eg~tive, r~set line, and input to 14 of the first or unit$
divider. ·
Hand wiring of a counter of thi• kind is grcatl)· speeded by
using thin tinnc<I copper wire with• few colnurs of very small
di•meter lnsufated sfCC\'ing. rirsl provide (lOSitivt and ne~r1>e
b tl$·bars of :!Oswg wire, for the res lt is then best to reproduce
the wiring of one section for all •ectlons, point by r oint. As
cx.mple, connc<I I to 12 at each 7490 •nd m11 the wire on
to 7 of its 7447. Ct'lru1cct •wire to l l of each 7490, p113s
through sleeving to 6 of ..ch 7447, •older and (Ul off. In this
way the· correct duplication of circuits is eased.
1ne finished board can be ciiedcod by remporarUy connecting
• 5V supply. •nd noting that all 11umerals are zero until the
reset line is.coo11ccted tt'I negative. An input may then be taken
to 14. This ca.n he from the 555 rulser, at low frequency at
lirst to ob•erve correct working of unit< and tens, then 3~eeded
up to allow checking of hundreds and thousands until all
numbers reach 9. A fault at any numeral nuy he tra<cJ tu an
IC, connectio11s, '" numeral, as explauied eJ,,..,nere, and !Cs
n• easily tC•ted by substitution from a ••ction displayins
correctly.

aock
Figure 41 is a block diagram of this. Here, a 1'.>1H7. ccyual
controlled oocillator i< fitted. Sub<equtclt decade dividers
reduce this frequency lo JOOkH,, IOk!L<, 1kH,, 10011< •nd
I H1., or 1 puJ .. per scconp. Pulses may he taken at the rate of
either ten per second, or. one per sccnnd. Tl1esc go to the gate
en.1bli11g ••ctiou, opening the gate for one-tenth "cond, ur one
second, for·t\\'O frequency ranges, a~ mentioned.
This section uses a crystal OSCJ114tor, as already shown, and
 IKHZ IOOHZ IOHZ f Ht

OSCILLATOR

FIG .41 . GATE ENA&LE _j

five 7490 deaide dividers, with holders. Ground lo negilllve

2, 3,6, 7 a nd IOofeac:h 7490. Take input to 14, .andoutput
from 11. Aho join l and 12 at each JC . .\ posWve •upply Is
required at 5 of e•ch. fly-pass positiv~ to negative with a
0.1 µfl capacitor.on the board. Additional information on
such a cry•tal oscilla tor, with wiring, will he found ead i~r.
Th• clock can be checked by means nf the count er bwrtl,
by takins JOHz or II tz out put to Che board input (1 4). Join
Politive aod oeg;ittve lines. The count should advance al J0 or
I per second, accordu1~ lo input frequency •elected.
'Jhe ciystal can be •el exactly to frequency in rite w&y
explained for Che ratlln frequency m•rker.
The posf>ibility of a plus or minus error 6f I ari~s wieh
frequency countets because there is no synchronisaUon between
the incoming pulses to he counted. and elod: pulses. This i<
normally ignored.

('.,,re & Reset

Two !Cs are used for Olis section , Fi~ure 42. The 7400 provides
a noiieless initialing swicch and gate to pa.- incoming puh••·
TI1e 7473 is a J -K fll p-fiop ananged SQ that the gate allows
p1~scs to p:m to the counter for one lul1ins interval ooly,
upon uch occasion • re~ding is taken.
Tite operation <lftwo NAND gate• In the noiseless switch
circuJt hos hccn d•seribed. It control• S nf rhe 7473. Clock
pulses at I sicond intervals.(or some other chosen frequency)
ariivc at 1. When tht 7473 is set by that half of the 7400
forming the noiseless switd1, from I I, tl1e next pulse al I of

77
 IN
~3 'i
.-
f I C.4i.
2 1U 7400

12 7 4
CLOC~ 7473
s 9 , .. 10 II

+
e 13 9 II 14
7400
4 5 10 12
~K l\CSET

- '5K
..................~·····
Jc •

the "/473 ~ves output •t 12 which allows the &ale to conduct

when pulses arrive at the gate input I of the 7400. These
pulses, of the frequency being measured, thus appear at 3
of tilt g•tc. Wl1en the next clock pulse auives •t 1 of the 7473,
oot put rrum 12 clore< the gate. ~s al 1 of the 7400 gale
nu longer • !'Peal ~I 3, and the count ll<>P'-
A fre.iuency reading is ubllliuc<l by pr.,.sing and releosing
the pu~h-,witch. The [!Ille then open< ot the next clock pulse,
the counter operates, and the gale closcs, leaving the eounl
displayed.
As numeral~ need resetting to 7.trO bet1NCCn count111, a.:1econtl
pol• on the rush-switch i.\pcus tltc rcsei line, w that this h
ohtained automatically. A 2-poic spring loaded leaf switch is
mosc suitable, anu contacts are bent so that the rese1 Hue i$
cumpleted b<fute counting •tart$. It should be nottd that the
cunneetinns front the noiseJess s-..,iteh arc ool reveriihle~ a~ if
the g•t• ls enabled while the r=t hn• u open, no iodk~tioo can
orise. R•,·ersed connections here can oltn cause differeot
count$ each lime, <lue to the ro<et line only l>eing closed for•
part uf the counling interval, which wIU in turn depend on huw

78
 the switch Is operated. A mechanical 'witch from 5 of the
7473 un he re:i.'On•bly satisfactory, b11t can !esult in chan8ffig
counts with rile same frequency, due tu s"itclt imperfection:;. as
explai<tcd elsewhere.
The•e twn ICs may be fitted to a board which will also
cariy lhe mput amplifier. 'l'o test thi• i;ection, connect 1
•ecund pulges from the clock bo•rd to 1 of the 7473, and take
3 of the 7400 jtate to the iJ1put 14 of the count.r. Apply a
suitable i11put - such as that frnm the 555 rulser shown later -
LO l uf the 7400 g>te. The counter should then be seen tu run
for I s«.ond, after the switch is pressed, and should di<play the
same number each time (plus or minus I) unles~ the ioput
frequency changes (due to temperature chan~s, etc.).
T11e switch should be located f0r easy operation, when the
Clltln tcr 1s In u.c. ·nm mclhod lea•~• st.able reading, which
will remain as long as wanted. The switch ls rre.~d each time
a new •••ding i• required. For automatic operation it is
necessary tu have a m11ltivibrator (F'igure 44) or other mean•
of comrollillg the 7473,. giving S\1it•blc repetitive count and
display tbncs. To provide a continuous <ll•play, I.he count has to
he taken intt'l binary Ct'ldet! memories or !niches, then to.<hc
decoder-drJverst with a contrul section which initiates each
acUon in corrccc sequence.
!'or two ~~nges, a :!·pule 2-way switch can be used to take
clock p1dses 31 I second and 0.1 second 1111ervals

Amplifier
A simple amplifier whicl• will pruv1do a •ensitivity of arproxi-
mately 0.5 volt i< shown in Figure 43. VRI allows attcnualion
of great.er Input; where necessary. Th~ Lr3nsisrnr collectt'lr swings
negative wl1cn the transistor ;, conducting. Pulses only pass
through the gnte to be counted .wltea thll ii Optned in the way
described.
A •crecncd lead with earthing in the usual way is generally
neces.1ary tC'I avoid n1ains frequencies becoming a::ssociatc<l
with the lnput. F'or high fre11qc11<1<s, •tray capaciunces must
be kept down, both in hlyoul llll<i lcst lea.I, nr sensitivtty falls
off f rum the :dlunling effe<:t introduced 1n this way.
An increase in frequency, beyt'lnd that with which a counter
1s normally able to deal, i• usually provided by means of a pre·

l
 - -
l'IG. -4 3 ·

E <: B
+

R2 R3
e:i 2201< f.SK

Cl RI
0- F 3.9 J( I ON
G"TE
VR J
~·- (7-400)
10.K 2N3704

s.:aler, ff required. Typically, this ~an cumi•I of a sirtgle tfecade

divider, able to operate at high frequency. It is fed from the
frequen~y lo be nie•s11red, and its output passes Lo the C()Untcr.
As it divides hy J0 (or oth<r chmen figure) all the frequency
counter indkal!Oo\S are multiplied by JO.
· lncrea~ se11$11i•ily. where wanted, u obtained by \J.\ing
a further amplifier, and a Schmitt trigger is frequently placed
bt lht amplifier output circuit, before tJ1c gate. This Is operated
by the sine and other waveforms present. A variable
attenuator {VK I) niay be teplacod by a switched re•i~t<>r
attenuator, with a number of input levels.
Where required, OC iwlation of btput is obtained by placing
• capecitor in series wit h the input circuit. This can limit the
low flequcocy, or prevent very l<>w speed COllnt•. Diode
limile" may be present acrns• the Input, tu clip this to• pre·
set ievel. Various methods of p1<:ividing compcn$lltiun for
chaitges in frequency can aho be prcivided.
l::rrors in counter readings are ai.:i:.1 likely to arise from
external source>, &uch as pick up or leak·througb of mains
frequencies or nrong RF or other freq11cncies. Overloading
may •llow cith~rwisc in<ignificant harmonics to regmcr.
lmuffkient level of inrut rnay result in reduced count• if the
level varies, only •cime pulses being f)f sufficient magnll\lde ro
O~t>tc the counter. Very high mrmeral indications, with nu
input, usually indi<>llt instability in 1he •mplifier section,

80
which 1a generating oscillation• which pass the gate and operate
the counter section.

DJGrrAI. SIGNAi. GENERATOH.

Tilil us.. a ~~>unter with fh« numerals In read 11p to 99.999,
clnck, 113te, and gale operating circuits with inpul amplifier
as shoWII for the frequency counter. To enable 1he gate to
pa<> the signal from the signal gencralOr "'ction in order that
the freq~ncy can be displayed, 5 nf the 7473 must go low,
then the count continu•s for one clock pulse when 5 goes
hiVi. Thi• i• initiated by one-half of the 7400, u•ing two
j!!att¥, u~ 1;how(\.
Automnic display can be p rovulod l>y means of the muJu •
.,boator in Figure 44. Cl and C2 a re of dissimilar value. The
col!ecLON of Tr I and Tr2 driYC the 7400. l'uinl 10 goes l\igh
t>rietly, and so does the counter re••t line, for return lo zero.
At this tlme 12 is low. Point IO and the reset line arc held
low for a longer period. This allows 1/te 7473 to open the gate
at Lhe next cJcock JIUlse, and do>C it at the following clock
(>Ulst, the C()unl remaining displayed.
Jn use, frequencies are <lisplayed foe abour 2 to .3 seconds,
this bemg rep<!atetl automatically. The C()Un t-up for 1 second
p<!rlOO• Ii r••dily seeii. but for 0.1 *"-"On<I or shorter intervals
can sc~rcely be seen, and neither interferes with the easy

12

RI
10
RESET

C2
€ c"
e>

81
reading of the oumher shc)\vn,
No le 1ha1 12, and JO (with reset line) are nol reve rsib le.
uni~ Cl and C2 "1ould al!" be eiu:hangcd. RI and R4 may
be 1.Sk each ln rarallel o.ith the llimllar ''"'"tors in Figure 42,
if tin• a uto-display is added.

Om1prmtnt! J(ir F;l(Ure 44

(Resistor! 5% %W)
R, r' \{4 750 ohm C2 2µ1'
R2, R3 33k (;3 470µF
er 47.o µF Tr! , Tr2 2'.\3706

With the rnult:ivihr.ior contn~hng th• counter, resulls

U.ould be the same as when the reading was obtained by inear\$
of' t he 2.way p u;-h·switch, e x..ipt lhul the)· are obtained, displayed,
and cancelled automatically.
The upper frequency limit al which such a counter will
operate depends larseJy on the first decade divider. Where a
hi~h frequency i• required, this is gene rally a sclcclctl JC, an
IC designed for HF pucposes, or a pre·!IGaler as described.
Where the waveform is not imp<>rt~nt, rJie 555 pulser can
be arr•nged ro operate up tu about SOkH? by employing a
S\vitch \\'ith mnre \\'ay~ selecting capachors <lo\vn to 2 ..000pF.
The o ut put 1nay operate the counter for l~quency d~lay
direct!)'. or m• y feed life amplifier lllrou~ a resiuor of Kbout
l!.2k.

j\udio Oscillator
Fl&uce 45 ls the circuit of an adjustat>l• audio oscillator
able to op•rnte over the frequency ranse of approximately
15 H1. tn 20kH'1.. Output i• amplitude ' tabilisetl, and of sine
wave q uality. Operation is from a 9V supply. The counter
inp ut •mp!ilicr is fed ,;a a series resiSl<>r fro m th~ point C,
the input amplifier polentiomc ler in l'i~ure 43 not being
requircd

82
+
Q
~0VP)
w
: ~ . 1i1
a: f-
,,.
"'

.,,'!!
"'
a>

t10
l ~
"'

,;
u
= ,...
"'
"' a:
>
_J.
u
..."'
CIC + 0
(I'.

...
"...
.,,
a:
"'0:
..
~I
a: "' "'
ii
... "'

83
Components for Audio Oxcillator(f'igure 45)
(Rcsls1ors S\'M4W)
RJ, R2 6.Rk VR2 Lk lin<oar potentio-
R3 J.2lc m<etn
R4 JOO ohm CJ 1000 µF IUV
R5 Type R53 1he.nnistor C2, CS J µF
R6 61!0 ohm C3, C6 0.1 µF
R7 10 ohm C4, C? lOnF
R8, lt9 l.Sk Tr I, 'fr3 BC! 08
RI O !Ok Tc2 llC1&6
Rl 1 S.2k SIA/A 2-pole 3-way switch .
VRJA{B2-g11ng !Ok linear Board, etc.
potentiometer

RADIO FREQlJEr>CY M~RKER

'Th.is uni! .uows exact calibration of a radio receiver, signal
generator, or the variable fcequoncy o~cillaror of.a tran>ittitter.
l'rovision i• made for marker ~>ips at !MHz, IOOkHz and lOkll<
intervAIS. up to 30MH7.; nr higl>ec with • scnsi1ive receiver.
In u.., the l'.1-111' pips will only be required with equipment
whlch IS bAdly out of adju$tment. or bnme-buill apparatus
where the frequency is almost completely unknown. The
100k.H7 plps-appe~r at one-tenth inte1Yals, md are of con-
:side11ble use. Fot bandsprud rece!Yen or Vl'O calibiation, the
!Oki!• pips allow division of lOOkHz secto" into ten.
FiRU!O <16 i.! the circuit, and twu g•tcs of the 7400 ICI
function as oscillator, 'Operating with a 1MIU CJ)'St.:I. The
r°'i•tora are tu provide suitable operating C(lnditions. Trimmer
Tl , in coaj1.mclion with CI. allow• slight pulling of the crystal
frequency, so that this can be ••I by means of an external
standard, such as 200kH7. radio t>roadcasl•, or the standaid
frequ•ncy tranStnissions on 25MH1, 5MH7. and othe r frequencies.
Th' remaining gates of this IC aro ulOd .., huffel'$. IC2
provides di,ision by JO, and thus IOOkHt output, while IC2
•&aln drvidei; by 10, for the !Olcfu ourput.
Switch SI ..1ectHhc lMHz, IOOkH'Zt>I IOkHr. signal, .,
required, and uses !his lo dri•e Tr I. Output i$ obtained at the
en1itter, and •ign.:I lewl c&l be adjusted by means of VR I.

84
 ....

·2
...
a:

,..
a:
--
- :r
:l1

""'
0
l:! II..

... u
ii

Output U><:
For many purpC>SCI, 1uffi~ient inrvt to the rec•iver will be
c>btail>ed if a .t1or1 lead from the marker output sockc1 is roo
near che atrial sockec of the receiver, or near• short wire
h1kcn ln th• receiver socket. The usual ••rial is disconnected.
Coupling may r~ adjusting to suit cite receiver sensitivity and
the order af hamtonics, which grow ixogressively weakc1, unhl
tb<y can no longer be detected. VRI ean be turned back where
sign•h are too strong. The usual inoxp•nsive potentiometer .,.,;u
not completely attenuate •ignals, especially at higher frequencies.
\\~1cn Sl8Jt.als llle not too •trcmg, the oUtpOI lead niay be
connected to I.he receiver.
The !MHz marker signal• will be heard at !MHz and
mulllplc• - 2Mllz, 3MHz, 4~1H>., and so on, throughout the
receiver tuning ranges. Scales or ..Uals can Ihm he marked at
IMf11. intervals. With horrn:·buill equ!prn•nt of unknown
cove1>1C, one frequency has to l>e identified on each wa...,band.
by rc(l!Te.nce to a broadcast Sll hon, 1ma1cur baud, 01 similar
means. The .l ~tHz oiarks can then be counted up and down
from thi•, and nun1bered according lo frequency.
The lOOkHzoutput wHI provide 10 pips r er ! MHz sector,
and will be appropriate for calibration over many general
coverage ldgh frequency ranges. The l'Ol<Hz marker signals
again divide the.e into JO sectors. Those will be too clo•e
together for many general coverage receiver•, except those with
bandspread cuning.
Tunins of the recei;,,r oiay be noted by m~s o f a bellt
frequency oscillator, which will usually bl? available a; exact
calibru i0<1 of thk l:ind is most likcl)' lo be wanted with a
communicat1ons type rccci•cr. A tuning indicator can also
be used, and may consist of a mu\f.1.rangc meter'clipped on to
re-ad the :inode. colJector~ exnitter, or drain cu.rrent of an
au1omatlc volume conrcolled st•~•·

Cty&IAI T rimmint
An extremely high degree of accuracy cru1 bo obtained by
pullhl~ the cry< tal into frequency with an external source. To
do !his, u•• an aerial with the receiver , to obtain reception of
the standard frequency tran.mriS>iOl\s on 2.5MHz, or receive
200kHz traiumiuions. Differcocu belwtcn !be 2SU\ or 1nd
harmonw: of l OOkH>. and t!tis signal will l>e heard as a growl or
flurtcr, which will fall in frequenc)' as TI is adjnsted in the
correct direction. Por best resi~ts ind easy adjustment, •ign•ls

86
fre>m the station tuned in, and the marker gene1acor, need to
be of roughly similar strength, or at least not so different that
on• sw1mps Ute other

VFO Collbrati<.>n
Tn calibrate a VFO, couple the rnorker uutput •nd the VFO to
a rec~iver. Tune in a ma1ker harmonic with the receiver, and
t11ne the VFO to 7.ero beot with this, and calibtate I.he VFO
di•l tu suil. Continue a< nece!.1ary. A.• example, at 3.5, 3.6,
3.7 nnd 3.8~11z for the SOm band, suhGequently fillii11:in wiU1
I OkHz points.
Accuracy of receiver tuning doc• not influence calibration.
The r«e1;er is merely used to rompare tljc fsequcncies of the
VFO •nd wonted l\ann<>nic.
To cahbrale a signal generator, proceed in the same w•y,
except that marks will generally lie al "'<lCI poincs, exct1il on
low frequencies.
COirOCt calibration will allow lh.e cuy location of Mgh
frequency bands, s~ations using knnwn f're4ucncies or wave·
leoi:ths, etc. Trimniing and alignment of calibrated receivers
may be directed toward• securing the best agreement between
di.ti readings and actu•I frequencies throughout.

Ci1>npo11e11r~ for Radio Fre.q11ency M11rlcer ( Figu"' 46}

(K.csistors 5% ~W)
Rt 1.llk !CJ 7400
lt2 220 ohm IC2 7490
R3 S60 ohm !CJ 7490
R4 220 ohm 3 nff 14 pin U!Lholders
RS 470k TI 30pF trimm~r
VR I Jk linear pot Tri 2N3706
Cl 22~>F SI Single pole 3·way
CZ 220pF I MHz crystal & holder
C3 220pF Board, elc.
C4 0.01 µF

87
VARIABLE SSS PULSER
~1itn making or testing a counter, whether decimal, or for
seconds, minute• •nd ho11ts, some f•)(nt of rapid checkul~ i•
useful. A variable pulser, using the SSS integra~d circuit, will
be convenient for this. !:'our ran~cs are fitted, for approx!·
mately 1 puhe per 20 se~onds to 3Hz, Jlfa to 160Hz, 160Hz
lo S,OOOlb, and Sklfa to '.!OOtHz.
The slow puls..• anow o)lscrntioo of the JCConds or r...1
digit display of• counter or tinier, and indiYid11al tc•ting of
various digital circuit points for ltigh and low, if required. To
speed up cltccking in tens, hundreds and other sections (or
minute or hour sections) pulses can he •reeded to run the
whole counter al a ~really increa.••d ra~. In this way, as example,
tho whole aumeral "'quenccs ur a 24 hour clock can bo
observed in a few nllnutcs.
Figure 47 shows the circuit. II ma),. be operated from the
same SV supply <>peratiilg 1!tc counter e>r timer, or from a

+
Vf\1

RI

74 6
l
R2
555 Al
2
6 s

- ~
SI
cs
a13~4
OP

UT_ T I 2 3 A

FIG . 47.
•1.SV {3-ccll} ballcry. If a scparnle supply isu>Cd, join
ne~at1••s (>f pul.er and cou11ter m timer.
VR I provides adjustmenl of fttquency. SJ selects ooc of a
range of thnlng capacitors. The lo~r wluc:s ptovidc the
Jo"Wtr ci:ttc~. ft is, of e<)urse~ nu( e,,~nhal that the rJ.ng~ be
exactly Oli: 1nentioned, so other capaci:tC)r values, or
modllicaUon to VRI, would be pornble.
Oulpul i< from 3 of the 555, via• rcsislor which limits fau)l
turnsnt in the event of a detect ()T \vrong connection.
The few components are read11y wired on a small O.lin
matrix huarJ. This,....and Sl and \'k I. can lit inlllide ~ ca1o;e or
box . Red und black flexible leads, with small clips, will
allow easy connecting up to tlie power lines of the timer or
counter which i• to be checked. 1lle out put lead can he fitted
..1th nne nr the miniature insulated prods with clip end operated
by a butron, and this can then be attached to any required
puinl, OJ tU ) '1 00 the binary cuded cJ~cjn,al divider~ OT other
!Cs.
A check of the pulser should s'how • range of rate•,
adj111table in frequency to suit the purpose, and according to
the posltlon of SJ. Current drain ls small, typically 2mA
to 3mA QC so.

Componenrs for Variable 555 l'ulser (!Jirure 47/

(~sturs 5% l&W)
RI •1.7k C3 25nf
R2 2.1k C4 JOOpF
10 lBOolun SI siogle-pole 4-way
VR 1 SOOk linear switch
potentiometer SSS and 8-pin l)!L holder
Cl 33 µt' l(nnb1, ca.1e. boacd, et.c.
C2 1 µF

! ·ARMED BANDIT
This i\ u mnre amhitiou:s ga1ne project, hut can provide a grcal
deal of an1usemet1t. When the Rl:N sWlteh is pressed, three
numbers ehanRe at different cate1, tho9' •rising at random
mnatmng dlsplayed when the switch ls released. To impro"e
chances for the player, individuQJ HOU>S are fitted, so Iha!

89
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 wanted numbef3 can be ret•ine<l while playing for others to
sult.
F>gurc 48 shows the cin:uit. R I and Cl control the p1~sing
speed of the UH Tt I. Ha:<e I of 1 rl dn•t.f Tr2, which in
tum op<rates the numerator from ib collector circuit. Tri. Tr2,
with 11s auocfaced items and the switch HO LD I, with 0-9
n1.11ne r-Jtor, form one numeral.
The HOLD switch is nonnnlly closed, and PLAY switch is
M rmally open. When Che PLAY switch is cfoseJ, Tr I
dom1hences to produce pulses wl11ch or•rate thi$ numerdl, which
contlnues to change so Jons as the PLAY switch is closed.
\\1ien the Pu\ Y <witch is opened I.he pubes ceuc, and the
numerator colltinues to dis~lay the figure.
The second fizure is o htained in the ume """l'·and h.s
110 LU 2 •wilcli, while the U~rd r-.;urc also opera le$ in this
manner, with HO LD 3' •witch . Should any of the !>l~tches
HOLD I, HOLD 2 or HOLD 3 be kerr open, then no volta~•
reach•• t he pul•er section, wheri lhe PLAY •witch js closed, so
the related n umeral remains unchanged.
Diffe rent values arc used for CI and RJ , so that the numher$
run st different rate~.
The HOLD switches should be pusJ1·tO·break, 01 spring·
lulid<d toggle types which •re Mnn•lly cli>sed. The PL.\Y
switch Is also of thi• ty pe, but num1ally open.
All pulser and numerator neg>tives are common to the
negauve hnc. HOLD switches may $Witch RI, o r RI . R2 and
RS tOljcthcr, withoot chl!llging rhc count. Numerals can be
Nixi< ur LCD, with the diviJ ers, decoders and circuits shown
earliec.
In the component !isl, RI • n<l CI arc Si~cn separately.
'
Comp11ne111s for 1-Attned Bandit. (l'igure 411)
(Re•ist(m 5% ~W) 3 ... rr:
R b 47k C!a 0. 1 µF R2 ~20 olun
Rlb47k C!b 0.22 µ .I' R3 6~0 ohm
Ric 220k Clc0.47 µF R4 lk
RS lk
Pl.A Y 'witch Tr l UT46, TIS43, £5567
Roa rd Trl 2N3704
c.... HOU> ~witches
0-9 Numerators.
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BIRNARI BABANI IP84

IT u a~&1't the ne11vcomer to the hobl.Jy, tne autlior

included a number of board layoutli 11nd \Viring diagrams
Als.o the more Oln1b11ious projects ha Jo b('en des19ne<:1 to
he built a11rt teste-t.1 section by se-ct1on so as to he-Ir!: 3\<0td
Of eaMIY curre<,;t any faults that miyht Ut;~ur.

. .